The nuclear complex in Yongbyon, North Korea, included in the interim report of the UN Sanctions Committee on North Korea expert panel in March this year. [연합뉴스]
Japan’s Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) obtained an annual UN report that North Korea appears to have operated an experimental light-water reactor in Yongbyon several times from December last year to early this year, and reported it on the 6th.
Nikkei receives a draft report from the UN Sanctions Committee on the 6th
“Exports 364,000 tons of North Korean coal to China from February to May this year”
Economic deterioration due to corona border closures and prolonged sanctions
Nikkei said on the same day that it had obtained a draft report of an expert panel of the UN Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee, which is scheduled to be released in September this year. Based on the infrared images taken from December last year to February this year, the panel report evaluated that “several times” of tests were presumed to have been conducted at the North Korean nuclear facility in Yongbyon.
The report also pointed out that “the external construction of the light water reactor seems to have been completed, and equipment is currently being installed.” However, it was analyzed that the 5 megawatt (5 MW) reactor has not been operating since 2018.
The report also judged that North Korea continued to export coal despite the sanctions imposed by the Security Council. From February to May of this year, 364,000 tons of North Korean coal were exported to Ningbo and Zhoushan in China at least 41 times.
However, as of mid-July, the import volume of refined petroleum products reported to the Sanctions Committee was only 4.75% of the annual supply limit (500,000 barrels). However, one member state predicted that “the limit set by the Security Council may have been exceeded because the number of illegally imported refined oil is increasing.” It is said that illegal shipments at sea have been increasing since May.
According to Nikkei, Singapore-based oil trading company Winson Group is suspected of being involved in procuring fuel to North Korea through sanctions against North Korea.
It is said that imports of consumer goods, including luxury goods, have virtually stopped as North Korea closed its borders to prevent the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). However, it was found that some materials, luxury goods, and imported goods for the family villa of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, such as automobile tires, parts, and building interior materials, were secretly transferred to a railroad base at the border to Nampo Port, etc. The report also included the involvement of Chinese companies in the influx of Lexus cars.
The report also evaluated that North Korea continues to steal cryptocurrency through hacking targeting specific organizations or people. From 2019 to last year, the amount of cryptocurrency stolen by North Korea by attacking cryptocurrency exchanges was estimated at $3164 billion (about 361.9 billion won).
Nikkei added that the economic situation in North Korea continues to deteriorate due to the suspension of trade between North Korea and China due to COVID-19 and prolonged sanctions. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield said in a phone call with Nikkei, “We will positively and promptly consider ways to urge humanitarian aid to North Korea.”
By Lee Yoo-jung, staff reporter uuu@joongang.co.kr
