U.K. sends ships to Asia to monitor N. Korea trade

TOKYO — A British warship has arrived in Japan to join international efforts to enforce sanctions on North Korea by monitoring any prohibited trading by the country at sea.

The frigate HMS Southerland, which this week entered Yokosuka — home to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet — will join exercises with Japan’s navy and monitor attempts by North Korea to evade U.n.-imposed sanctions, said Royal Navy Capt. Paul Casson.

The ship is the first of three British warships planned for deployment in the region this year to participate in the monitoring and join exercises with Japan and other countries in the Asia-pacific region, he said.

Britain says its warships’ presence demonstrates its commitment to the region’s peace and stability.

The U.N. has toughened its sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear weapons development, including banning ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other goods to North Korea. Recent U.N. and U.S. watch lists and Japanese surveillance reports have identified ships and companies suspected of helping North Korea evade the sanctions.

Despite North Korea’s recent diplomatic outreach to South

Korea, the U.S. and China, the U.S. and its allies say pressure should be maintained until it takes concrete actions to abandon its nuclear weapons.

Japan is also stepping up its missile defense and other capabilities.