NZ forces intensify crackdown on North Korea at sea

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has boosted its enforcement of United Nations sanctions on North Korea through a large-scale maritime and aerial operation aimed at disrupting illegal activities linked to the regime’s weapons programmes.

Conducted under Operation Whio as part of the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange (PSMX), the mission targeted efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development. In November, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s tanker HMNZS Aotearoa, along with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, carried out patrols across international waters in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea, spanning an operational area of 410,000 square kilometres, Stuff has reported.

During the mission, HMNZS Aotearoa, operating with an embarked SH-2G Seasprite helicopter, intercepted two suspected illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfers. The vessel also flagged seven ships of interest, hailed 49 merchant vessels and issued 79 deterrence messages. While on deployment, the ship was closely monitored by seven vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy, which maintained professional separation throughout, as reported by Stuff.

The RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft played a key surveillance role, detecting five ship-to-ship transfers, identifying 59 vessels of interest and broadcasting 19 deterrence messages during aerial patrols.

The operation was conducted in coordination with allied naval forces, including Canada’s HMCS Max Bernays, France’s FS Prairial, and Japan’s JS Maya and JS Hamana. The NZDF also provided vital refuelling support at sea to Australia’s HMAS Brisbane and US Navy ships USS Shoup, USS Robert Smalls and USS Milius, Stuff has reported.

"Once again, our people have demonstrated professionalism, endurance and commitment to upholding the international rules-based order," said Commander Rob Welford of HMNZS Aotearoa. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott added: "Our contribution to this deployment reinforces New Zealand’s strong and enduring commitment to UN sanctions enforcement and regional security," as quoted by Stuff.