North Korea’s Berlin embassy used to acquire nuclear technology: German spy chief
BERLIN
In an interview with German public television channel ARD, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency chief has revealed North Korea has been acquiring equipment and technology for its nuclear and weapons programmes through its Berlin embassy.
Kim jong un’s Photographs outside the compound of the North Korean embassy in Berlin
BfV head Hans-Georg Maassen said: “We have noticed that so many procurement activities have taken place from the embassy”.
Maassen further added, “from our point of view, they were for the missile programme but also partly for the nuclear programme,”.
Extracts of the interview were published on Saturday.
Although the exact nature of the technology was not specified, the intelligence chief said they would have civilian and military uses.
North Korea’s Berlin embassy used to acquire nuclear tech: German Spy chief | Image: Reuters
“When we see such things, we stop them. But we cannot guarantee that we spot and block each attempt,” he said.
In 2014, it said a North Korean diplomat attempted to obtain equipment used in the development of chemical weapons.
The German accusations come after the publication on Friday of a United Nations report which says North Korea is flouting sanctions by exporting coal, iron, steel and other banned commodities, earning nearly US$200 million in revenue last year.
A UN panel of experts also found evidence of military cooperation by North Korea to develop Syria’s chemical weapons programmes and to provide Myanmar with ballistic missiles.
Further evidence uncovered more than 40 unreported shipments from the hermit state to various shell companies operated by Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
These undisclosed exports took place between 2012 and 2017.
The Myanmar military, which has been accused of ethnic cleansing against its Rohingya minority, has also reportedly received ballistic missile technology from Kim’s criminal officials.
Like Syria, Myanmar has reportedly been in contact with North Korea’s KOMID arms exporter. The investigation showed Kim Jong-un’s diplomats help facilitate arms deals with the brutal regimes.
Pyongyang’s persistent pursuit of a nuclear arsenal and continued illegal weapons tests have set the country on a collision course with the US.
The US is thought to be determined not to accept North Korea as a nuclear power.
Elements within the Trump’s administration are said to be pressuring the President to launch an attack against North Korea, it has been reported. Proposals have been laid out for a surgical style strike against key military targets within North Korea.
Is Europe again becoming a hotbed of global geopolitics? Only time will tell.
