North Korea Continues Nuclear and Missile Development; Kim Imports Maybach via Busan

UN Expert Report Points Out Continued Missile and Nuclear Activities
Attempts to Undermine Export-Import Sanctions on Oil and Coal
Import of Swiss-Made Robots
Kim Jong-un's Maybach S600 Imported via Busan and Other Locations

Coal transshipment on board a North Korean vessel [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United Nations evaluated that North Korea violated last year's sanctions resolutions by continuing construction and maintenance activities at nuclear-related facilities, as well as missile test launches using ballistic missile technology.

North Korea violated UN sanctions by engaging in 'direct delivery' of goods at ports and smuggling luxury items, among other acts to undermine economic sanctions. The route through which the high-end luxury cars used by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, which caused controversy in last year's report, were imported was also confirmed.

Regarding the annual report of the UN Security Council's Panel of Experts on North Korea sanctions, released on the 17th (local time), foreign media such as NK News reported that the sanctions panel assessed that construction activities on the light-water reactor in Yongbyon are ongoing.

The report cited a UN member state, stating that the uranium plant in Pyongsan is also operational. It assessed that no signs of operation have been detected at Yongbyon's 5MW (megawatt) reactor since the end of 2018. It also pointed out that no activity was observed at the steam plant of the radiochemical laboratory, a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facility.

Regarding North Korea's missile program, the report noted that North Korea is demonstrating 'autonomous' capabilities by producing and launching various new types of solid-fuel short-range missiles that combine ballistic missiles and guidance technology, as well as next-generation submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

The sanctions panel reported that progress has been observed at various locations including the Sinpo Shipyard, the Dongchang-ri West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, the Taesong Machinery Factory in Jamjin, the 17th Factory in Hungnam producing solid-fuel propellants, and the 'March 16 Factory' in Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province. Reports from UN member states also indicated ongoing activities at several North Korean ballistic missile bases.

The panel explained that construction work, possibly for a new submarine training facility, began in the Sinpo Peninsula area in 2017 and was nearly completed by December last year. Construction of an underground shelter for future submarines is underway but delayed.

Regarding North Korea's announcement of a 'significant test' at the West Sea Satellite Launching Station on December 7 and 13 last year, the panel assessed that it could have been a test of a new liquid-fuel engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or an inspection test of an existing solid-fuel engine. The sanctions panel mentioned that either way, this signals a new phase in North Korea's ballistic missile program.

◆Gaps in Economic Sanctions Widen=The holes in economic sanctions have grown larger. The annual import limit of 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum products was ignored, and coal exports were actively conducted. Smuggling of luxury goods and arms exports also proceeded in defiance of sanctions.

According to the sanctions panel, North Korea's coal exports from January to August last year amounted to at least 3.7 million tons, valued at 370 million USD (approximately 450 billion KRW). Satellite images continuously captured scenes of coal exports from Nampo Port and Songrim Port in November and December last year.

Exports of riverbed sand also took place. Sand is a prohibited export item under UN Security Council Resolution 2397 adopted in December 2017. North Korea's imports of refined petroleum products are analyzed to be 3 to 8 times the annual limit of 500,000 barrels.

In North Korea's illicit exports and imports, not only traditional maritime transshipment but also 'direct delivery' has emerged. Foreign vessels carrying refined petroleum products repeatedly entered the Nampo Port import terminal.

◆Factories Operated with Swiss-Made Robots, Kim Jong-un's Luxury Car Imported via Busan=The import of industrial robots into North Korea was also detected. The report included photos of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un observing robots produced by the Swiss multinational company 'ABB' at a factory he inspected. The sanctions panel is continuing to investigate the routes through which these robots entered North Korea. ABB stated that the exact path of entry into North Korea is unknown but added, "There is a significant secondary market where used robots are traded."

Luxury goods banned from export to North Korea were also a focus. The report pointed out that whiskey, high-end cosmetics, and watches are still sold within North Korea, as well as the Lexus SUV used by Kim Jong-un. The sanctions panel estimated that two Maybach S600 vehicles used by Kim were smuggled into Pyongyang via Italy, the Netherlands, China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. It was confirmed that these vehicles passed through Busan Port.

North Korea's cyberattacks are also a concern. The sanctions panel stated, "North Korea continues to mine virtual currencies and carry out cyberattacks targeting global financial markets," adding that "sanctioned entities such as the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) and the Ministry of Defense Industry (MID) are actively engaged in acquiring both fiat and virtual currencies through illicit means."

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