UN: North Korea is "actively engaged" in nuclear missile exports

May 17, 2011, 16:10 GMT

New York - North Korea has continued to export ballistic missiles and nuclear technology despite UN sanctions banning such practices, an expert panel said in a report discussed by the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

The panel said the Pyongyang communist regime's hunger for hard currency has compelled it to remain 'actively engaged in the export of complete (missile) systems, components and technology to numerous customers in the Middle East and South Asia.'

It said North Korea has developed more sophisticated missiles and facilities for long-range ballistic missiles launch, including the Nodong missile that can reach targets 1,300 kilometres away. The impoverished nation began its ambitious nuclear programme in the 1970s.

It said Iran imported North Korean missiles through regular scheduled Air Koryo and Iran Air flights, with transshipment through a third country identified as China.

The council imposed comprehensive sanctions after North Korea exploded nuclear devices in 2006 and 2009. The sanctions prohibited UN members to export nuclear technology and materials, and provide financial resources and know-how to North Korea that could help that country develop nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

The panel of experts was set up to monitor the sanctions and report regularly back to the council.

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