North Korea Continues To Break Sanctions

The value of China's coal imports from North Korea surged nearly 40 percent in February 2017

Reuters: Exclusive: Malaysia inspects North Korean coal ship for possible U.N. sanctions breach

Malaysia briefly prevented a North Korean ship carrying coal from entering its port in Penang because of a suspected breach of United Nations sanctions, a port worker and Malaysian maritime officials told Reuters on Wednesday

The KUM YA, was carrying 6,300 metric tonnes of anthracite coal, according to a worker at Penang Port who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. It was later allowed to dock, where an inspection team accompanied by an armed escort boarded the ship.

A December 2016 U.N. Security Council resolution placed a cap on exports of North Korean coal, and urged member states to apply extra scrutiny on North Korean ships.

Production of coal in North Korea is state-controlled and its exports are a key source of hard currency for the isolated country's banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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Update: North Korea coal, air route, raise questions about sanctions (UPI)

WNU Editor: What does not help are reports like this .... China coal imports from North Korea surge in February (AFP). More here (video) .... China opposes new U.S. legislation that tightens sanctions on N. Korea (Arirang).