North Korea has continued for a year to develop its nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities despite international sanctions imposed on it, according to a confidential United Nations report seen by AFP on Saturday.
“Cyber-attacks, particularly on crypto-assets, remain an important source of revenue for the North Korean government,” said the annual document sent to the 15 members of the Security Council.
nuclear arsenal
The report, prepared by the United Nations experts in charge of monitoring the arms embargo and international economic sanctions imposed on North Korea, also indicated that “the amount of illegal imports of refined oil increased sharply” a year ago, but “at a much lower level than in previous years.” .
Regarding North Korean armaments, which the international community is trying to curb, experts emphasized that Pyongyang “continued to maintain and develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, in violation of Security Council resolutions.”
The report also noted that, over the past year, Pyongyang has demonstrated “increased rapid deployment capabilities, high mobility (including at sea) and improved resilience of its missile forces.”
Stop importing luxury items
Experts said they have also noticed that North Korean leaders have stopped importing luxury goods, especially cars, an import that has been condemned in recent years.
North Korea has been under international sanctions since 2006, which increased dramatically in 2017 under US President Donald Trump.
Since 2017, the Security Council has not reached a consensus on the North Korean file, which was once again proven in a closed meeting held by the Council on Friday at the request of Washington to condemn the recent North Korean missile tests.