According to an internal UN report, North Korea is pressing ahead with its nuclear program despite international sanctions. According to a report by a UN panel of experts, the autocracy continued to maintain and develop “its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in violation of the resolutions of the UN Security Council”.
Even if neither nuclear nor ballistic missile tests were reported in 2020, North Korea continues to produce “fissile material, maintain nuclear facilities and improve its ballistic missile infrastructure”. In the meantime, it is looking for the necessary materials and know-how abroad, it said.
Financing apparently through hacking activities
The nuclear program is apparently financed, among other things, with hacking activities carried out directly by the North Korean secret service. These had recently targeted “virtual asset channels and asset managers” and defense companies.
In addition, the country of ruler Kim Jong Un has systematically circumvented the UN sanctions, among other things for the limited import of processed oil and other substances, for example by transferring the goods between ships at sea.
The UN experts also pointed out in the report that the leadership in Pyongyang shows „new ballistic missile systems with short range, medium range, submarine launch possibilities and ICBMs“ at military parades. The government has also announced the testing and production of new warheads for ballistic missiles and the development of tactical nuclear weapons.
