Possibility of Further Miniaturization of Nuclear Warheads for Multi-warhead Development Raised
Luxury Goods like Audi and Mercedes-Benz Roam Across North Korea, Mocking Sanctions
The image of an Audi Q7 vehicle found at the Masikryong Resort in North Korea, revealed on the 28th (local time) through the interim report of the expert panel by the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee. The Sanctions Committee pointed out that North Korea continues to import luxury goods to evade sanctions. [Image source= Interim report of the expert panel of the North Korea Sanctions Committee]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Despite sanctions, North Korea is importing luxury foreign cars such as Audi and has succeeded in developing miniaturized nuclear warheads through continuous nuclear tests, according to an assessment. The miniaturization of nuclear warheads was not mentioned in last year's report, indicating increased international concern over North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
The United Nations (UN) Panel of Experts on North Korea Sanctions released an interim report on the 28th (local time) containing these findings. According to the report, the panel evaluated based on its own investigations and member state reports that North Korea appears to have succeeded in miniaturizing nuclear weapons after conducting six nuclear tests. It further predicted that North Korea will continue to pursue nuclear warhead miniaturization to develop multiple warhead missiles capable of neutralizing air defense systems. The report also introduced observed activities at the Sinpo Shipyard in South Hamgyong Province, analyzing that these might be related to submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launch tests.
The Panel of Experts releases an interim report annually, and this year's report is notable for reflecting the international community's growing concerns about nuclear proliferation. Until last year, the sanctions committee's reports mainly focused on North Korea's illegal ship-to-ship transfers of banned items such as oil on the high seas. There was no mention of North Korea refining its nuclear technology in last year's report.
The appearance of the luxury liquor store at Daesong Department Store in Pyongyang, North Korea, revealed in the interim report by the expert panel of the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee on the 28th (local time). [Image source: Interim report of the expert panel of the North Korea Sanctions Committee]
The sanctions committee also expressed concern about the possibility of North Korea's nuclear and missile technologies flowing to Iran. According to the report, North Korea's arms export company, Chosun Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID), remains active in Iran, a country subject to arms embargo sanctions. KOMID is identified as a key channel for North Korea's export of ballistic missile-related equipment and conventional weapons. It is known to have sold valves, electronic components, and measuring instruments used in ground tests of liquid-propellant ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles (SLV) to Iran's military company Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG). Although KOMID has been on the UN sanctions list since 2009, the panel reported that two North Korean nationals, Ha Won-mo and Kim Hak-chol, were operating as KOMID representatives in Iran as recently as early this year.
The sanctions committee included a photo of an Audi vehicle, a German automobile brand, taken in North Korea. The photo shows an Audi Q7, a top-tier sports utility vehicle (SUV), taken at the Masikryong Ski Resort in December last year. The committee stated that the Audi Q7 bearing Pyongyang license plates is "a vehicle prepared for a very important person." Luxury vehicles are classified as luxury goods under UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, and their export to North Korea is prohibited.
North Korea is also evading sanctions by concealing the nationality of its workers to secure funding for weapons development. According to the report, North Korean IT workers hide their identities by using third-country nationals' names to avoid UN sanctions and operate as freelancers. These North Korean IT workers operate in groups of 10 to 20 people, reportedly generating monthly revenues of $100,000 (approximately 117 million KRW) per group.
As in previous years, the report also included information on North Korea's illegal import of oil through ship-to-ship transfers on the high seas of the West Sea. North Korea is still assessed as not complying with the UN sanctions limit allowing the import of up to 500,000 barrels of refined oil annually. It is estimated to import between at least 600,000 barrels and up to 1.6 million barrels of refined oil. Illegal coal exports for foreign currency earnings continue as well, with at least 33 shipments recorded up to May 7 of this year.
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