North Korea continuing with nuclear and missile programs: Confidential UN report

United Nations: A United Nations confidential report reveals that the nuclear program and the missile development program of North Korea continues, despite its announcement about becoming non-nuclear after the discussions with the United States and South Korea. The US intelligence agencies had claimed in the month of June, to have proof about the North Korean nuclear program. The United Nations’ report confirms the claim.

A group of experts was formed to keep an eye on the activities of North Korea after the United Nations imposed sanctions against it. The group has prepared the report after carefully following the North Korean activities for the past six months. The report was submitted to the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) ‘North Korea Sanctions Committee’ on Friday. A part of the report has been leaked to some news agencies, and it exposes North Korea of continuing its nuclear and missile program.

The report reveals that North Korea is secretly importing fuel and also claims that it has supplied missiles to Syria and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. At the same time, the report claims that North Korea has exported goods worth $100 million to eight countries including India and China during the period between October 2017 to March 2018. The United Nations’ report also states that China and Russia are supporting North Korea in on a large scale.

In the light of China and Russia taking an insistent stance to relax the sanctions against North Korea, the revelations in the United Nations report become significant. A few days ago, the United States media had carried reports about Russia’s help to North Korea. Following this, the exposure in the United Nations’ report may impede the efforts of Russia and China.

The United States and its allies have indicated a continuation in sanctions against North Korea. While expressing optimism about the Korean compliance for nuclear non-proliferation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that political and economic pressures were still necessary. North Korea has expressed displeasure over the United States’ stance and has termed the stance as dangerous. North Korean Foreign Minister ‘Ri Yong-ho’ fired a salvo of criticism at the United States and warned that their country would not unilaterally take steps forward.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un had held discussions in Singapore on the 12^th of June. North Korea was willing to go nuclear-free if it was assured of its security, Dictator Kim Jong-Un said. Expressing satisfaction over the statement, US President Donald Trump had said that there was no threat from North Korea anymore.