The UN Security Council(UNSC) has blacklisted four North Korean ships.
 
The AFP quoted diplomats as saying that the UNSC banned four North Korean ships — the Ul Ji Bong 6, Rung Ra 2, Sam Jong 2 and Rye Song Gang 1 — from accessing international ports as they are suspected of carrying or having transported goods banned by international sanctions.
 
The diplomats said that the U.S. had earlier requested the UNSC to blacklist a total of ten ships, including the four North Korean vessels. The remaining six ships are flying flags from China, Hong Kong, Palau, Panama and Belize.
 
The diplomats said that China only agreed to target the four North Korean ships, as part of international efforts to curb Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear programs.
 
According to one diplomat, “the procedure remains open” to include the other vessels on the UN blacklist in the future.
 
An agreement among all of the UNSC’s 15 permanent members is required to deny international port access to ships.

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