Rare Look Inside UN Mission Tracking North Korean Ships Violating Sanctions

UN Operation Tracking North Korean Sanctions Violations

• 🇨🇦 A Canadian military aircraft, the CP40 Aurora, is conducting Operation Neon over the East China Sea to track North Korean vessels.
• 🎯 The mission's objective is to identify ships involved in illicit trade, such as carrying banned goods like oil and weapons, thereby violating UN sanctions.

Chinese Military Interception and Intimidation

• 🇨🇳 During the operation, the Canadian aircraft encountered Chinese supersonic fighter jets.
• ⚠️ The Chinese jets engaged in acts of intimidation, flying very close to the Aurora, shadowing it for extended periods, and warning it not to interfere.
• ✈️ One incident involved a Chinese fighter jet, armed with missiles, flying as close as four wing lengths (less than 200 feet) away, marking the closest encounter for the mission.
• 🛡️ Despite the intimidation, the Canadian crew maintained professionalism, stating their operation was in international airspace with due regard for all nations' rights.

Ineffectiveness of Sanctions on North Korea

• 📉 Despite the efforts of missions like Operation Neon, the sanctions on North Korea are described as highly ineffective.
• ⚛️ North Korea currently possesses approximately 50 nuclear weapons and is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching mainland USA.
• 🤝 The transcript notes that former President Trump met with Kim Jong-un three times and expressed a desire for further meetings.