April 6, 2019
Japan Ministry of Defense
１．On April 5 (local time), Ministry of Defence of the UK issued the press statement titled “Royal Navy vessel identifies evasion of North Korea sanctions”.
２．The ship-to-ship transfer by North Korean-flagged tanker SAEBYOL, mentioned in the above press statement, is the case AOE 'OUMI' of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force found while working with British Royal Navy Frigate MONTROSE. Japan strongly suspects it conducted ship-to-ship transfer banned by United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR). (The MOD’s response to this matter was announced on March 28, 2019.)
３．Japan will continue to work closely with all partner countries to ensure effectiveness of the relevant UNSCRs.