Chinese fishing fleets may be in breach of international sanctions by allegedly employing North Korean forced labor for up to a decade, according to a new report by the UK-based Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). The EJF report, published on Monday, identified at least 12 Chinese deep-water fishing vessels that employed North Korean crews between 2019 and 2024.

International sanctions prohibit UN member countries from using North Korean labor. These sanctions, adopted by the UN Security Council, aim to limit Pyongyang’s ability to fund its weapons programs through the export of labor and goods.

Some North Korean crew members were reportedly kept at sea for extended periods and transferred between vessels to avoid detection at foreign ports, with their salaries going to the government instead of the workers themselves.

The EJF identified the North Korean crew through interviews with Indonesian and Filipino fishers who worked alongside them in the Indian Ocean.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights states that forced labor has become “deeply institutionalized” in North Korea. North Koreans working on Chinese vessels were reportedly sent abroad by their government to avoid military conscription or work in government enterprises.

Vessel captains and owners may have been aware of the prohibition on using this labor, as there have been instances of hiding North Korean workers from detection during port visits. In 2022, six North Koreans and a Chinese boat captain were arrested in Mauritius for failing to report the workers’ presence.

The use of North Korean labor continues, with China being a key destination for these workers. Tens of thousands have been sent to work in Chinese factories and seafood processing plants, with widespread allegations of abuse and exploitation.

Steve Trent, the CEO of EJF, emphasizes the need for increased transparency in supply chains and collective responsibility to prevent modern slavery.

The sanctions against North Korean labor prohibit UN and EU member states from issuing work permits to North Korean nationals and prohibit the acquisition of seafood originating from North Korea or its nationals.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/25/chinese-fishing-fleets-using-north-korean-forced-labour-in-potential-breach-of-sanctions-report-claims