Seoul says it will punish those found to be responsible for the alleged illegal entry of North Korean coal into the country if necessary. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk relayed the government’s stance in a regular media briefing on Thursday, adding the related local authorities are currently investigating the transport of North Korean coal into South Korean ports last year via two foreign ships. 

Noting that the case will serve as a reminder for the importance of the UN Security Council’s(UNSC) sanctions on the North, Noh said South Korea will maintain the sanctions with the cooperation of the international community until there are assurances Pyongyang will completely denuclearize. 

Asked why the government is not withholding the two foreign ships in question as opposed to three other ships under its custody for similar suspicions, Noh said there is strong evidence about the three ships’ alleged wrongdoings, whereas it is still investigating whether there are reasonable grounds to hold the two other ships. 

The Voice of America reported on Tuesday that North Korea shipped its coal from Kholmsk Port in Russia to a third country two times via South Korean ports in Incheon and Pohang in October last year.  

UNSC Resolution 2397 adopted December last year allows a country to capture and look into a vessel suspected of engaging in prohibited activities with North Korea.