An Australian naval vessel, HMAS Sydney, has been dispatched to enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. The warship set sail in late March for a three-month mission in the waters near Japan, tasked with monitoring compliance with sanctions that restrict North Korea’s imports of refined petroleum and crude oil, as well as its coal exports. These restrictions are primarily enforced through ship-to-ship transfers.
Commander Ben Weller of HMAS Sydney highlighted the collaboration with the Enforcement Coordination Cell based in Yokosuka, Japan, ensuring operations in regions where illegal activities are suspected. The vessel is equipped with an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and advanced surveillance sensors to effectively monitor any illicit transfers of sanctioned materials.
Additionally, the Royal Australian Air Force has contributed by deploying a P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Japan to assist in these enforcement efforts. The UNSC sanctions against North Korea came into effect following the nation’s nuclear test in October 2006, with revisions made in response to ongoing missile tests, aiming to restrict the supply of all goods, aside from food and medicine, unless sanctioned by the UNSC.
Australia has enacted elements of these sanctions through its laws, conducting enforcement under Operation Argos, which has seen numerous naval deployments since 2018. Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, reaffirmed that the operation underlines Australia’s commitment to achieving the denuclearisation of North Korea while upholding an international rules-based order.