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South Korea denies STS involvement with DPRK vessel

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Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force claim to have seen activity in East China Sea during early May.
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South Korea has responded to a claim by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force of a locally flagged oil tanker approaching a North Korean vessel in the East China Sea earlier this month, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The South Korea-flagged oil tanker was believed to involved with a STS transfer operation with the North Korea vessel; and a formal request has been made by Tokyo to have Seoul investigate the claim.

"The results of our investigation show that there was no ship-to-ship transfer of oil (to the North)," said a ministry official on condition of anonymity.

The South Korean added that Tokyo has been informed of the investigation.

"The (Seoul) government has been closely watching the related situation so as to sufficiently implement U.N. Security Council resolutions," he said.

"Regarding this case, we have been closely cooperating with Japan by transparently sharing information."

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Published: 15 May, 2018