How North Korea evades UN sanctions

The United Nations recently passed its strongest sanctions yet against North Korea following its sixth nuclear test. But the sanctions would stop Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons. The US government and a UN experts panel have published reports on how North Korea evades sanctions to earn the hard currency it needs: Chinese businessman Chi Yupeng allegedly used his company Dandong Zhicheng Metallic Materials to buy steel and anthracite coal from North Korea in exchange for nuclear and missile components, according to the US Treasury department. Smugglers from other countries such as China turn off their ships’ transponders when entering North Korean waters, then take North Korean goods to another country, including Russia. Almost 100,000 North Koreans work around the world, generating about 500 million dollar for Kim Jong-un’s regime, according to the US government. North Korea continues to sell arms and provide military training overseas, despite UN embargoes. It is particularly active in Africa and the Middle East. A United Nations investigation said buyers included Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Mozambique, Namibia, Syria, Uganda and Tanzania. Benin, Botswana, Mali and Zimbabwe were also investigated for their ties with North Korean companies.