A representative of China’s Mission to the UN asked the UN Security Council (UNSC) not to blacklist a ship which the South Korean government says illegally transferred oil to a North Korean vessel, according to a message seen by NK News.

The Lighthouse Winmore, which is registered in Hong Kong, was one of six vessels which China asked the UN not to blacklist after the U.S. alleged earlier this month that the vessels had violated sanctions against shipping to North Korea.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told NK News that the Lighthouse Winmore transferred 600 tons of