UN: "Kim Jong-un's Lexus Violates Sanctions"... North Korea Continues Nuclear and Missile Development

UN Expert Panel Report Circulation
Hacking of Cryptocurrency and Military Suppliers
Continued Import of Petroleum Products and Export of Coal via Transshipment
Joint Pig Farming Attempt with Chinese Companies
Highlighting Loopholes in North Korea Sanctions Network

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] UN experts on North Korea sanctions have determined that North Korea violated sanctions by continuing its nuclear and missile development last year. Additionally, North Korea is estimated to have conducted hacking against key international defense industry personnel and secured approximately $300 million worth of virtual assets.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un personally visited the flood damage site in Daecheong-ri, Eunp'a County, North Hwanghae Province, and instructed to release the stockpiled strategic materials and food reserved for wartime or emergencies to support the flood victims, Chosun Central TV reported on the 7th. Chairman Kim is seen getting out of the driver's seat and approaching the residents with a smile.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

A major foreign news outlet reported on the 8th (local time), citing sources, the contents of the annual report by the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on North Korea sanctions.

The expert panel assessed in this report that "North Korea not only produced nuclear materials but also managed nuclear facilities and improved missile-related facilities," adding that "it focused on acquiring technology and materials overseas to expand such activities."

The report also pointed out that North Korea unveiled new short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) during a military parade.

Although North Korea did not conduct nuclear tests or ballistic missile tests last year, the report mentioned that it declared preparations for testing and producing new ballistic missile warheads and developing tactical nuclear weapons.

Japanese media also covered the report. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that North Korea secured virtual assets worth $300 million through hacking. It also pointed out that North Korea is hacking key defense industry employees via social media (SNS) accounts. Israel was also noted as having suffered from North Korean hacking.

The expert panel assessed that North Korea exported 4.1 million tons of coal and other prohibited minerals to China through maritime transshipment.

Imports of refined petroleum products banned by sanctions also continued. The expert panel judged that the illegal import volume confirmed from January to September last year alone amounted to several times the UN-approved import limit of 500,000 barrels.

Joint ventures with Chinese companies to evade sanctions, such as pig farming and sand mining businesses, were mentioned, as well as the Lexus 'LX570' vehicle that drew attention when North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un personally drove it during an on-site inspection, despite export bans.

This report will be published after discussions and revisions by the UN Security Council member states. Although it has no legal binding force, it will be considered when the UN reviews or contemplates additional sanctions on North Korea in the future.

The Permanent Mission to the UN explained that the report is "under discussion at the North Korea Sanctions Committee."