UN: North Korea is looking to produce materials for nuclear weapons

The panel of experts, in a report seen by the Associated Press, said there was a “significant acceleration” of Pyongyang tests and demonstrations of new short- and medium-range long-range weapons. testing done throughout January.

“The new technologies tested also include a potential hypersonic nuclear warhead and a maneuverable vehicle,” the panel said. North Korea has also demonstrated “rapid deployment capabilities, wide mobility (including at sea) and improved resilience of its missile forces.”

The experts said that North Korea “continues to seek abroad materials, technology and knowledge for these programs, including through cyber tools and joint scientific research.”

A year ago, the panel had said that North Korea had modernized its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles by disobeying UN sanctions, using cyber-attacks to help fund programs, and continuing to seek overseas materials and technology for its nuclear arsenal, including in Iran.

“Cyber-attacks, especially on cryptocurrency assets, continue to be an important source of funding,” said Kim Jong Un’s government, which monitors the implementation of sanctions against the North.

In recent months, North Korea has tested a range of weapons systems and has threatened to lift the four-year moratorium and test more serious weapons. In January this year, North Korea launched nine missiles and tested other weapons, including hypersonic missiles and submarine-launched missiles.

The Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s ongoing inspections in North Korea, that it monitor North Korea’s compliance with “the steps required by the IAEA Board”.

The UN has said in the past that North Korea manages to circumvent sanctions and illegally import refined oil, gain access to international banking channels and carry out “malicious cyber activities”.

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