North Korea promotes the development of nuclear and missile programs. (File)
Seoul:
North Korea pushed ahead with its development of nuclear and missile programs last year in defiance of international sanctions, according to a secret United Nations report released by AFP on Saturday.
Pyongyang is subject to major sanctions over its weapons programs, including a ban on exports of coal, iron, lead, textiles, seafood and other products.
Although no nuclear tests or launches of an intercontinental ballistic missile were reported last year, North Korea continues to develop its “capability to produce nuclear fissile material,” according to a report released by the agency. sanctions monitors aggregated and shared with the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. .
“The maintenance and development of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure continues, and the DPRK continues to seek materials, technology, and know-how for these programs abroad. , including through network means and joint scientific research,” the report uses the abbreviation North, the official name of South Korea.
The document also says North Korea uses cyberattacks, especially on crypto assets, as an important source of government revenue.
The quality of illegal refined petroleum imports rose sharply last year, “but at a much lower rate than in previous years,” UN experts said.
While Western countries have steadily increased pressure on Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow have called for the easing of sanctions for humanitarian reasons and called for more flexibility when dealing with the leader. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Pyongyang conducted seven unprecedented weapons tests in January, including its most powerful missile launch since 2017 as it hinted it might restart nuclear and long-range missile tests. .
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