A gang has been arrested for illegally supplying about 18 billion won worth of diesel to North Korea without government approval. 



There have been many rumors in the meantime, but this is the first time that it has been confirmed that diesel was supplied to North Korea through a Chinese ship, the Coast Guard explained. 



Yesterday (30th), the West Sea Coast Guard's wide-area investigation team arrested oil supply broker A (51) on charges of violating the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act. 



In addition, two employees of a domestic oil refinery supplier who transported diesel on the high seas under the direction of Mr. A were booked without detention.



Mr. A and others are accused of supplying about 18,000 tons (t) of diesel with a market value of 18 billion won to North Korea on a total of 35 occasions from October 2021 to January last year. 



According to the current law, a person who intends to export or bring goods, etc. to North Korea must obtain approval from the Minister of Unification regarding the item, transaction type, and payment method. 



However, without the approval of the Minister of Unification, they loaded a Russian oil tanker belonging to a domestic refinery supplier, departed from Korea, and rendezvoused with a Chinese vessel waiting in advance in the high seas of the South China Sea.  



Subsequently, the Chinese ship that took over the diesel transported it to a North Korean ship. 



Considering that it is difficult to settle the diesel payment normally, it was investigated that a Chinese ship official received money from North Korea and deposited it into Mr. 



Mr. A is said to be denying the charges, saying, "I did not know that the diesel was going to North Korea." 



The Coast Guard decided to expand the investigation, keeping in mind the possibility that Mr. A and others have illegally supplied diesel to North Korea for a long time.



An official from the Korea Coast Guard said, "We confirmed the fact of illegal supply through communication records, data from the Korea Customs Service, and foreign exchange accounts. Further analysis of related evidence may increase the amount of diesel supplied to North Korea." We will thoroughly investigate whether this is taking place,” he said. 



(Photo = Yonhap News)