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Military parade in North Korea
Photo: - / AFP
North Korea reported neither nuclear nor ballistic missile tests last year.
But United Nations experts are convinced that ruler Kim Jong Un is expanding, even though international sanctions have been imposed on the country.
The autocracy continued to maintain and develop "its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in violation of the resolutions of the Security Council," according to a report by a United Nations panel of experts that is available to the German Press Agency.
North Korea steadfastly produces "fissile material, maintains nuclear facilities and improves its ballistic missile infrastructure."
Cooperation with Iran
The regime is looking for the necessary materials and know-how abroad, it said.
North Korea and Iran, for example, resumed their secret cooperation in the development of long-range missiles last year.
As part of this cooperation, "essential components" of rocket technology were supplied.
The report by the UN experts also cites a statement by the Iranian government in which it denies cooperation with Pyongyang on the missile program
The nuclear program is apparently financed, among other things, by 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, Pyongyang has systematically circumvented the UN sanctions, including limited imports of processed oil and other substances, for example by transferring goods between ships at sea.
Kim calls USA "main enemy" again
The UN experts also emphasize in the report that the leadership in Pyongyang shows "new ballistic missile systems with short range, medium range, submarine launch possibilities and ICBMs" during military parades.
The government has also announced the testing and production of new warheads for ballistic missiles and the development of tactical nuclear weapons.
Isolated because of its nuclear weapons program, the country has been developing and testing various types of missiles of all ranges that can be launched from land or water for many years.
Submarine missiles are more difficult to catch by the enemy.
North Korea's most recent military parade, and previously the eight-day party congress, were held shortly before the inauguration of the new US President Joe Biden - at a time when negotiations between the US and North Korea over its nuclear program were stuck.
During the Congress, Kim described the United States as the "main enemy."
He also announced that his country would strengthen nuclear deterrence with new weapons, including new ICBMs.
Biden's predecessor Donald Trump was unable to influence Kim's nuclear program despite several meetings with Kim.
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as / AFP / dpa
