The UK's Ministry of Defence ('MOD') has given some insight into Royal Navy activities in support of UN sanctions against North Korea. A communication from the MOD describes how the North Korean-flagged tanker SAEBYOL, 'which was transmitting as a fishing boat' was spotted by a Royal Navy vessel, HMS Montrose, 'alongside a vessel of unknown nationality on the high seas, conducting a prohibited ship-to-ship transfer.' It said that HMS Montrose, which is 'working alongside' the Japanese navy, is the fourth vessel to take part in enforcing sanctions against North Korea since the start of last year, after HMS Sutherland, HMS Albion and HMS Argyll deployed in 2018. 'These three ships were a deterrent for those seeking to evade sanctions and continue illicit trading with North Korea, and in May HMS Sutherland observed and reported a Panama-flagged vessel conducting a prohibited ship-to-ship transfer with a North Korean-flagged vessel.