U.S. reconnaissance photos reportedly show Chinese vessels trading oil products with North Korean ships, a violation of UN sanctions. Diplomats from an Asian country confirmed information published this week in the South Korean press that such trade persists despite sanctions, according to The Financial Times.

South Korean newspaper Chosun on Dec. 26 cited South Korean government officials as saying 30 vessel hook-ups had been spotted by spy satellites since October.

UN Security Council Resolution 2375, passed in September, limited North Korean imports to 500,000 barrels between October and December, and 2 million barrels in total next year. It also specifically forbade ship-to-ship transfers of banned goods, including oil products, destined for North Korea.

According to a report in The Financial Times, Chinese custom data showed no exports of oil products to North Korea in November.