How North Korea circumvents UN sanctions
The Pyongyang administration manages to maintain its military and nuclear program despite heavy UN sanctions; a United Nations and United States investigation, obtained by the South China Morning Post, found eight ways North Korea circumvents the sanctions, ranging from falsifying North Korean ship documents to exploiting North Korean citizens abroad.
From Sputnik Brazil
Despite the growing economic pressure imposed on North Korea by sanctions imposed by the United Nations (UN), nothing seems to stop the Asian country's missile tests.
So how does Pyongyang manage to maintain its military and nuclear program? A UN and US investigation, obtained by the South China Morning Post, found eight ways North Korea uses to circumvent sanctions:
Barter
North Korea directly trades its coal and other minerals for the goods it needs, such as weapons components and even luxury items. This avoids the risk of tracking the transfers.
Smuggling
Ships turn off their tracking systems to visit North Korean ports. Another tactic used is to leave the main vessel anchored in a nearby port and use a smaller ship to pick up supplies in North Korea.
Falsification
According to the UN, eight ships belonging to Kim Jong-un's country have falsified documentation that prevents inspections by international agencies. Another trick involves changing the names of the vessels to avoid recognition.
Exploitation of labor abroad
Approximately 100 North Koreans work outside their native country and generate an estimated US$500 million in revenue for Pyongyang, according to the United States government.
North Korean workers are also employed as contractors by other companies.
Modifying the equipment you are able to acquire
The UN managed to trace trucks exported from China and used in military parades in Pyongyang and discovered that they were purchased as civilian vehicles — which is not prohibited by sanctions — and then adapted for military purposes.
Shell companies
Shell companies in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong were used to receive funds intended for Glocom, a North Korean company specializing in military equipment. To make it difficult to identify irregularities, the payments were made in installments, the UN reported.
Diplomatic coverage
Diplomats from Pyongyang open numerous bank accounts abroad. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Kim Chol-sam opened eight accounts in China and Hong Kong with the help of shell companies and moved millions of dollars.
Gun sales
Despite the UN-imposed embargo, North Korea continues to sell weapons and military training. The investigation uncovered buyers in the following countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Mozambique, Namibia, Syria, Uganda, and Tanzania.