The British and Japanese governments last week published evidence that North Korea’s use of illicit ship-to-ship transfers continues, in press releases warning that Pyongyang’s activities constituted a violation of international sanctions.

In a statement carried by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Royal Navy vessel HMS Montrose was reported to have spotted the DPRK-flagged Saebyol “alongside a ship of unknown nationality” on March 2.

“It is assessed that the ships were carrying out a ship-to-ship transfer, which is prohibited by United Nations sanctions,” the press release  read.

The Montrose — which has since January