New Zealand to intercept North Korean vessels in Pacific waters

New Zealand to intercept North Korean vessels in Pacific waters

By Iva Danford
11/09/2017

A New Zealand‑led proposal to cut off North Korea's ability to operate in Pacific waters has just been accepted by leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum.

The initiative will see New Zealand help identify North Korean fishing and cargo vessels that fly under the radar using the flags of small Pacific states and get them deregistered.

New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee says they will be prepared to help with intelligence athering to identify them so that Pacific states can deregister them, and be in compliance with UN sanctions regulations.

North Korea has long‑tried to hide its vessels by registering them with small Pacific nations, using the so‑called "flag of convenience" system.

One North Korean ship, the Orion Star, has changed its name multiple times and flown the flags of Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji in recent years, before being blacklisted.

The trouble is, vessels linked to Pyongyang can use fake companies to further disguise their true ownership.

Brownlee says he is prepared to use whatever intelligence capacity necessary in finding out about the structures behind those fishing and trading operations.

Source: Newshub 

FEATURE NEWS
Couple to appear in court today for alleged sextortion
A couple will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court today after being charged in relation to a case of alleged sextortion. Police say on the 30th of...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
ODPP seeks guideline judgement for Kishore Kumar’s suspended sentence in Qereqeretabua case
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking a guideline judgement from the Suva High Court regarding the sentence of 57-year-old ...
49 seconds ago

Semi Naisevunivai charged with alleged murder to have bail hearing on August 1st
Semi Naisevunivai, who is accused of killing Afroz Khan last year in Tailevu, will have his bail hearing on the 1st of August. State Counsel ...
3 minutes ago

Re-offending rate dropped before COVID but rose again after – Sigavou
Fiji Corrections Service Principal Corrections Officer Jone Sigavou says the percentage of inmates re-offending and reintegrating into the community ...
2 hours ago

Fijian national charged over alleged indecent exposure on flight
A Fijian national will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today after being charged with allegedly indecently exposing himself on a domestic ...
2 hours ago

2025/2026 National Budget is short-sighted and debt-heavy - Chand
The 2025/2026 National Budget is short-sighted, debt-heavy, and dangerously out-of-touch with the real needs of the Fijian people. While opposing ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
2025-2026 National Budget Debate
Parliament has officially passed the 2025–2026 National Budget, with 75 percent of Members of Parliament voting in favour of the budget, matching ...
2 hours ago

Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
9 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
11 days ago

TOP