North Korea undermines UN sanctions with arms exports, report says

Nov 12, 2010, 7:34 GMT

Washington - United Nations experts have accused North Korea of violating UN Security Council sanctions by exporting nuclear and missile technology, a news report said.

A seven-member expert panel alleged in its report to the council that the Stalinist state was involved in 'nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities in certain countries, including Iran, Syria and Myanmar,' CNN reported Thursday, quoting UN diplomats.

The panel urged in its 75-page report that special attention should be given by all UN member countries to inhibit such activities.

CNN said this week's publication of the report had been delayed by China for six months.

Pyongyang was getting around the sanctions by masking the financial transactions using 'overseas entities, shell companies, informal transfer mechanisms, cash couriers and barter arrangements.'

The country had developed a highly sophisticated international network for the acquisition, marketing and sale of arms and military equipment, CNN quoted the report as saying. Arms exports had become one of North Korea's principal sources of foreign currency, it added.

The latest Security Council sanctions were imposed on North Korea in May 2009, after it conducted a nuclear test. dpa fi im se

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