North Korea reportedly exported coal to Russia last year, and the materials were then shipped to South Korea and Japan. According to Reuters, the sale likely violated United Nations sanctions because the Security Council banned North Korean coal exports last August. Reuters reported on Thursday that the coal was shipped to two Russian ports, where it was then transferred to South Korea and Japan. North Korea has been under an international microscope lately as it continues to ramp up its nuclear program and test ballistic missiles off its coast.
