UN: "Bukhan maintains nuclear material production and ballistic missile programs... earning money through hacking"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] A report has revealed that North Korea continued to maintain and develop its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs last year, violating international sanctions.

On the 8th (local time), foreign media obtained and reported on the annual expert panel report of the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee, which was submitted to the United Nations (UN) Security Council. According to the report, North Korea and Iran cooperated to develop long-range missiles.

The report stated, "North Korea produced fissile material, maintained nuclear facilities, and upgraded ballistic missile infrastructure," adding, "North Korea continued to attempt to import raw materials and technology for these development programs from overseas." It also pointed out that North Korea showcased new short- and medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) systems through several military parades last year.

Although there were no nuclear tests or ballistic missile tests throughout last year, the report mentioned that North Korea "declared preparations for testing and producing new ballistic missile warheads and developing tactical nuclear weapons." Additionally, according to the report, North Korea emphasized its intention to dismantle nuclear weapons by blowing up the nuclear test tunnels at Punggye-ri in 2018, but it is still reported to maintain personnel in the area.

The report also included information that North Korea and Iran are cooperating by transferring key components for long-range missile development. North Korea, which has secretly cooperated with Iran for a long time, assisted in the technological development of Iran's 'Shahid Haji Ali Movahed' research institute and exported goods. Iran rebutted, stating, "The report is based on fake information and manipulated data."

The report also revealed that North Korea hacked approximately 400 billion KRW over the past year to fund its nuclear and missile programs. It estimated that income from hacking between 2019 and November 2020 reached $316.4 million (about 403.2 billion KRW).

CNN, citing the report, stated, "Strict border controls due to COVID-19 affected North Korea's procurement of hard currency (such as dollars and other internationally easily exchangeable currencies)," and "North Korea used complex sanction evasion schemes to keep its economy running and avoid UN sanctions." It also reported, "Last year, North Korea was hit hard by severe typhoons, sanctions, and the pandemic," and "experts believe that North Korea will increasingly rely on hacking for procurement while the pandemic continues."

North Korea introduced strict lockdown measures after the pandemic to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it is estimated that North Korea's imports of petroleum products significantly exceeded limits last year as well.

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