(CU)_Iran and North Korea resumed collaboration on the development of missiles in 2020, the United Nations said in a report produced by an independent panel of experts.
The report, submitted to the Security Council on Monday (Feb 8), states that according to an unnamed member state, this resumed co-operation between the two countries included “the transfer of critical parts”, with the most recent shipment associated with this relationship taking place in 2020.
However, Tehran denies such co-operation with North Korea, saying the preliminary review of the information provided by the experts indicates that “false information and fabricated data” may have been used in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the experts in their report say Pyongyang continues its nuclear development programmes, and as a part of which, the country produces missile material, maintains nuclear facilities and upgraded its ballistic missile infrastructure. The East Asian country also continues to seek material and technology for these programmes from overseas, the report states.
The experts also investigated North Korea’s breach of sanctions, by acquiring ships, selling fishing rights and exporting coal. They found that North Korea continues to import volumes of refined petroleum higher than the permitted 500,000-barrels.
However, Pyongyang ‘s main supporters, Russia and China have rejected these claims, saying the petroleum imports were within the specified limits.
