U.S. "North Korea, Coal, Iron Ore Illegal Export, Crude Oil Import Continues"

The U.S. State Department says North Korea continues to import oil and export iron ore by sea in violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions on the North, and has held a trilateral symposium to counter North Korea's illegal maritime activities.

The symposium, held in Singapore on the 17th local time, was attended by industry officials such as shipowners, brokers and insurance companies representing 24 countries, as well as government officials such as maritime supervisory agencies from each country.

At the symposium, discussions were held to strengthen cooperation between the government and industry to prevent, detect and block North Korea's maritime sanctions evasion activities.

The U.S. State Department said in a news release that North Korea continues to import oil and continue to illegally export coal and iron ore beyond the limits set by the U.N.

It also said it was smuggling banned goods to generate revenue to support weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.