Inside North Korea's Underworld: Gangsters, Ghost Ships, and Spies

Inside North Korea's Underworld: Gangsters, Ghost Ships, and Spies

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. North Korea's Illicit Oil Trade
3. The Role of Organized Criminal Networks
4. The Triads and their Connection to the Oil Trade
5. The Involvement of Suncity Group and Alvin Chau
6. The Relationship Between North Korea and Organized Crime
7. China's Role in Allowing Criminal Activities to Continue
8. Failures in Sanctions Implementation
9. The Global Impact of North Korea's Weapons Program
10. Recommendations for Effective Action

Article:

North Korea's Illicit Oil Trade and its Connection to Organized Crime

Introduction:

North Korea's illicit activities have been a matter of international concern for years, particularly when it comes to its nuclear weapons program. One key component that keeps the program alive is the country's procurement of oil and oil products through illegal channels. In this article, we will Delve into the complex web of organized criminal networks that facilitate North Korea's oil trade and explore the role of the notorious triads in this illicit operation. Additionally, we will examine the involvement of the Suncity Group and its connections to the triads, shedding light on the larger issue of China's role in allowing such criminal activities to persist.

North Korea's Illicit Oil Trade:

North Korea relies heavily on procuring oil illicitly to fuel its missiles and keep its weapons program running. Despite international sanctions, the country has managed to find ways to evade restrictions and secure oil supplies. One method it employs is through ship-to-ship transfers, where North Korean tankers meet with intermediary tankers in the waters of Taiwan to shuttle oil into the port. These transfers often occur during the evening or midnight, in areas where the ships are not supposed to anchor down. The vessels involved in these operations go dark, becoming Ghost vessels that roam the seas without going into port for months at a time.

The Role of Organized Criminal Networks:

The triads, particularly those Based in Hong Kong, play a crucial role in facilitating North Korea's oil trade. These highly organized criminal organizations provide protection, intimidate ship captains and crews, and use their connections to conduct illegal activities on behalf of The North Korean regime. Through connections to the casinos and the Suncity Group, the triads are able to exploit weaknesses in the global financial system and launder money effectively. This ability to move funds undetected is vital for North Korea to sustain its weapons program, as it relies on the revenue generated from illicit activities.

The Triads and their Connection to the Oil Trade:

Hong Kong's local triads, such as the 14K, Sun Yee On, and Wo Shing Wo, have long been involved in various illegal trades, including the oil trade for North Korea. They have established networks and connections within the region, making them valuable partners for the North Koreans. The triads' willingness to engage in illegal activities and their history of violence make them strategic allies for North Korea. These criminal groups provide protection, intimidate rivals, and ensure the smooth operation of ship-to-ship transfers and other illicit activities.

The Involvement of Suncity Group and Alvin Chau:

The Suncity Group, which was one of Asia's largest casino and junket operators, played a significant role in North Korea's oil trade. The group was headed by Alvin Chau, a notorious figure known for his alleged connections to the triads. Suncity operated as an underground bank, facilitating the flows of both legal and illicit money throughout the region. It moved huge volumes of money out of China and played a crucial part in transferring funds for the oil-smuggling operations. Alvin Chau's close ties to individuals involved in the triads and his connections to the North Korean intelligence apparatus make him a key figure in this complex network.

The Relationship Between North Korea and Organized Crime:

North Korea's reliance on organized crime groups, such as the triads, highlights the country's involvement in criminal activities beyond its weapons program. It engages in a wide range of illicit pursuits, including selling weapons, trafficking drugs, producing counterfeit currency, and even smuggling rare animal species. North Korea often collaborates with local criminal groups in target countries to carry out these operations, relying on their connections and knowledge of the local criminal landscape. The demand for interaction with organized crime is high as it allows North Korea to access resources and engage in illicit trades.

China's Role in Allowing Criminal Activities to Continue:

China's strategic interests and antipathy towards the United States have led to close relationships with countries involved in organized crime or deemed international pariahs. China's reluctance to fully enforce sanctions on North Korea raises questions about its commitment to combatting criminal activities. While some members of the Chinese authorities may strive to address institutionalized crime, the country's opaque nature creates an environment where organized crime groups can thrive. The issue of the triads and Chinese organized crime is not solely a criminal matter; it poses wider strategic implications that demand international Attention.

Failures in Sanctions Implementation:

Efforts to enforce sanctions and prevent North Korea's oil trade have faced challenges due to a variety of failures in the global financial system. The responsibility for effective sanctions implementation lies not only with governments but also with various gatekeepers such as lawyers and accountants who facilitate money laundering and Create opportunities for illicit activities. These failures include the lack of due diligence by banks, inadequate documentation by insurance companies, and oversight by ship registries. Sanctions implementation requires a coordinated effort and international law enforcement cooperation to address the multiple points of failure throughout the chain.

The Global Impact of North Korea's Weapons Program:

North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and its steadfastness in refusing to give them up pose a significant threat, not only to neighboring countries like Japan but also to global security. The potential for conflict and the risks associated with North Korea's missiles reaching farther distances make it imperative to address the root causes, including the illicit oil trade that sustains the country's weapons program. Tackling North Korea's criminal activities should be approached as a global organized crime problem, focusing on solid criminal charges and international law enforcement cooperation to disrupt and dismantle the networks involved.

Recommendations for Effective Action:

To effectively address the issue of North Korea's illicit activities, particularly its illicit oil trade and its connection to organized crime, several key actions should be taken. Firstly, targeted sanctions should be imposed on individuals, companies, and middlemen involved in facilitating the illegal oil trade. The supply chains that enable the Unica and other tankers to deliver oil to North Korea should be thoroughly investigated and disrupted. Additionally, closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies and member states, particularly China, is crucial for identifying and apprehending key players involved in these illicit activities.

In conclusion, the intricate web of organized criminal networks, particularly the triads and the Suncity Group, plays a significant role in North Korea's illicit oil trade. China's role in allowing such criminal activities to persist raises concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions implementation. Addressing the weaknesses in the global financial system, as well as taking a more comprehensive approach to tackle the root causes of North Korea's illicit activities, is essential for international security and peace. By targeting the networks involved and disrupting their operations, we can work towards curbing North Korea's weapons program and minimizing the global impact of its actions.