Chinese fishing vessels used North Korean crews in violation of U.N. bans, subjecting them to forced labor at sea for years. The use of North Korean crew bypassed legal frameworks, including U.N. sanctions and supply chain regulations. China is suspected of not fully enforcing U.N. sanctions on North Korea.
Key Points
North Korean crews forced to work at sea for up to 10 years
Violates U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korean labor
Bypasses legal frameworks to prevent goods produced by North Koreans from entering supply chains
China suspected of not fully enforcing U.N. sanctions on North Korea
Pros
Exposes the exploitation and abuse of North Korean crews on Chinese fishing vessels
Highlights the violation of U.N. bans on using North Korean labor
Cons
The exact number of North Koreans aboard the vessels remains unknown
North Korean workers subjected to forced labor and dire conditions