Seoul:
North Korea continued to develop its nuclear and missile programs despite international sanctions last year, according to a confidential United Nations report accessed by AFP on Saturday.
Pyongyang is under heavy sanctions for its weapons programs, including a ban on the export of coal, iron, lead, textiles, seafood and other products.
While no nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile launches were reported last year, North Korea continued to develop “its nuclear fissile material production capacity,” according to the report, which was prepared by sanctions monitors and shared with the 15 members of the UN Security Council. .
“The maintenance and development of the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure continued, and the DPRK continued to seek materials, technology and know-how for these programs abroad, including through cyber assets and collaborative scientific research,” the report said. using North’s initials. The official name of Korea.
The document also said North Korea has resorted to cyberattacks, particularly on cryptocurrency assets, as a major source of government revenue.
The UN experts noted a sharp rise in the quality of illegal imports of refined petroleum last year, “but at a much lower level than in previous years.”
While Western countries have steadily pushed for more pressure on Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow have called for sanctions to be relaxed on humanitarian grounds and for more flexibility in dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Pyongyang conducted an unprecedented seven weapons tests in January, including the launch of its most powerful missile since 2017, as it hinted it could resume nuclear and long-range missile tests.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)