Pyongyang's ICMB technology has advanced at unprecedented speeds due to the acquisition of Soviet missile systems built in Ukraine, said experts. They warned the "window of opportunity will soon close" without action.
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Defense researchers linked the momentous advances in North Korea's missile system to technology found in the Soviet RD-250 family of rocket engines, according to a report published by the London-based International Institute for Security Studies (IISS) on Monday.
"North Korea has acquired a high-performance liquid-propellant engine (LPE) from a foreign source," said IISS missile researcher Michael Elleman in the report.
"Available evidence clearly indicates that the LPE is based on the Soviet RD-250 family of engines, and has been modified to operate as the boosting force for the Hwasong-12 and Hwasong-14."
But Oleksandr Turchynov, who serves as the secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, denied that Ukrainian authorities played any part in the alleged acquisition of Soviet missile technology.
"This information is not based on any grounds, provocative by its content, and most likely provoked by Russian secret services to cover their own crimes," said Turchynov. "Ukraine has never supplied rocket engines or any kind of missile technology to North Korea."
Elleman said that "this is not to suggest that the Ukrainian government was involved." However, he noted that workers at the facilities who suffered from the country's economic misfortunes were likely "susceptible to exploitation by unscrupulous traders, arms dealers and transnational criminals operating in Russia, Ukraine and elsewhere."
'Perfecting its capacity to terrorize'
In order to prevent North Korea from "perfecting its capacity to terrorize America with nuclear weapons," the US and allies, alongside China and Russia must agree on a ban on future missile testing.
"But the window of opportunity will soon close, so diplomatic action must be taken immediately," said Elleman.
Guns, gold and gas: What UN sanctions target North Korea?
International observers say North Korea continues to flout bans on its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. The UN Security Council has increased sanctions on the country.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Coal and iron
In August 2017, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution banning all coal, iron, iron ore and lead imports from North Korea. Pictured here is China's Liaoning Greenland Energy Coal Co. in Dandong, on the border with North Korea.
Image: Reuters/B. Goh
Currency
North Korea is prohibited from opening banks abroad, and UN member states are prohibited from operating financial institutions on Pyongyang's behalf. Any dealings that might help North Korea skirt the sanctions are banned, and UN member states must expel and repatriate anyone working on the regime's financial behalf.
Image: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Shipping
This North Korean cargo ship found itself boarded for inspection in the Philippines in March 2016 after the United Nations ordered member nations to de-register any vessel owned, operated or crewed on orders from Pyongyang. North Korean ships also cannot fly the flags of other nations to evade sanctions.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Dumaguing
Air travel
Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, remains exempt from aviation sanctions and still has scheduled flights to China and Russia, as well as several domestic routes. However, the airline cannot fly to the European Union, which has banned it on safety grounds, and the United States prevents citizens from legally conducting business with the carrier.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Yonhap
Fuel
In December 2017, a new raft of UN sanctions targeted fuel imports in North Korea, meaning its residents could have difficulties driving the country in Pyeonghwa sedans (pictured above). The sale and transfer of diesel and kerosene are limited while the import of crude oil is capped at 4 million barrels a year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Ralston
Bank accounts, real estate
UN sanctions limit North Korea's diplomats abroad — at the country's Berlin embassy, for example — to only one bank account each. North Korea is also not permitted to own real estate abroad for any purposes other than consular.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S.Schaubitzer
Military training
It's a safe bet that North Korea's marching military did not learn its moves abroad: UN sanctions ban foreign security forces from training the country's army, police or paramilitary units. The United Nations does permit medical exchanges, but otherwise allow very little assistance of scientific or technical value.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Statues
Anyone wanting to own a larger-than-life Kim will have to await the end of North Korea's nuclear program. The UN sanctions currently ban the sale of statues by the nation.
