North Korean ghost ships

Every year, dozens of derelict boats from North Korea wash up on Japanese shores, some carrying the remains of their crew.

[9] Wreckage from North Korean boats often washes ashore in northern Japan during winter due to seasonal winds.

[12] In September 2011, nine defectors accidentally made a five-day voyage to Japanese waters in a small boat while attempting to travel to South Korea.

This is believed to have forced North Korean fishermen to venture further from shore and stay out longer, greatly increasing the risks of an already risky job.

[14] The so-called “dark fleet” of Chinese vessels has harvested half a billion dollars worth of squid in North Korean waters since 2017.