Deployments in support for United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
Since 2018, New Zealand has deployed maritime patrol aircraft and personnel to North Asia in support of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea as part of a multinational coalition effort. From 2024 New Zealand has also contributed naval assets.
Maritime surveillance patrols detect and monitor sanctions evasion activities, including illegal ship-to-ship transfers of illicit goods in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea, which fund North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. Pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea is an important part of New Zealand’s strong stance on nuclear non-proliferation.
Three personnel, based in Japan, are deployed to support North Korea sanctions monitoring activities. Additionally, crews aboard NZDF air and naval assets will regularly deploy to North Asia to contribute to this mission.
The mandate for this deployment expires on 30 September 2028.