North Korea's $370 Million Coal Exports... Nuclear and Missile Development Continues

Draft UN Report on North Korea Sanctions Committee
Oil Imports Exceed Sanctions
Internet Usage Increases 300%... Rising Risk of Cybercrime

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Evidence has been found that North Korea circumvented international sanctions last year and exported coal worth at least $370 million. Despite the loopholes in sanctions, North Korea is believed to have continued its nuclear and missile development. Additionally, last year, North Korea's internet usage reportedly increased by 300% as it targeted new forms of cybercrime.

According to a draft of the annual report from the UN Security Council's Panel of Experts on North Korea sanctions, obtained by some foreign media on the 10th (local time), North Korea exported 3.7 million tons of coal from January to August last year. The value amounts to approximately $370 million.

Under the UN Security Council's sanctions resolutions, North Korea's coal exports are completely banned, but evidence shows that North Korea continuously attempted to export coal in defiance of these sanctions. North Korea's coal exports were mainly carried out with the assistance of China. The report describes that about 2.8 million tons of coal were exported via a "ship-to-ship" transfer method, moving from North Korean-flagged vessels to Chinese barges.

The North Korean coal transferred to Chinese barges was reportedly delivered directly to three ports in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang Province, to utilize the Yangtze River.

North Korea is also believed to have exported at least $22 million worth of 1 million tons of river dredging soil to Chinese ports. North Korea also evaded sanctions banning oil imports. The report pointed out that North Korea illegally imported oil exceeding the annual limit of 500,000 barrels.

China has maintained that it is not violating sanctions against North Korea and repeatedly claims that accusations of its sanctions violations lack basis.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the UN stated regarding the draft report, "China has faithfully fulfilled its international obligations concerning sanctions on North Korea and has endured significant losses and tremendous pressure in the process."

The report assessed that North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It noted, "North Korea has continued to develop facilities and capabilities for its missile program by acquiring some parts and technologies through illicit external procurement." This report was prepared by the Panel of Experts under the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee and, after circulation among Security Council member states, is expected to be adopted and published around March if no significant objections arise.

Meanwhile, North Korea's internet usage has recently surged. The New York Times (NYT), citing new research, reported that internet usage has increased by 300% over the past two years since 2017, with half of the traffic passing through Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.