Seeing a boat washed up on shore is a surprise enough, but discovering that there are real skeletons inside is even crazier!
More than 500 disheveled North Korean boats have washed up on the shores of Japan within the last 5 years, some of them even having skeletons within. Last December, one of these boats even had not one, but two human heads as well as five decomposed bodies when it washed up on Sado Island.
It was unknown as to where these abandoned ships were coming from, but a recent study from Global Fishing Watch and NBC News, the shipwrecks could be a result of Chinese boats illegally fishing in North Korean waters. You can watch the video about it here:
Reports claim that desperate North Korean fishermen are being ordered to travel out farther to sea, and dangerous waters, and in turn being taken by the powerful waves. Within the past two years, the Japanese Coastguard says that more than 50 North Korean nationals have washed ashore.
Researchers have used date from satellites to understand what is causing these tragedies, which they believe is likely a breach of UN sanctions that prohibit fishing in North Korean waters.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told NBC News that “China has consistently and conscientiously enforced the resolutions of the [UN] Security Council relating to North Korea.” Further, they added that China has “consistently punished” illegal fishing, but didn’t confirm nor deny allegations of Chinese boats fishing in North Korean waters.
