In Ukraine, debris from North Korean missiles reveals Western components

Western components in North Korean missiles used in Ukraine.

British researchers from Conflict Armament Research analyzed the debris of a North Korean missile crashed near Kharkiv, Ukraine, in January 2024. According to their report, part of the missile's electronic components came from American companies , German or even Dutch.

North Korean President Kim Jong-un visits a munitions factory in North Korea, February 14, 2024. © KCNA VIA KNS / AFP

By: RFI Follow

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With our regional correspondent,

Celio Fioretti

This report marks the first clear identification of foreign components in the North Korean regime's missiles.

After the study of 290 components recovered near Karkhiv in January, nearly 75% came from American companies.

16% would come from European companies, notably German, Dutch and Swiss.

A @conflictarm field investigation team recently documented the electronic components of a North Korean ballistic missile recovered in Ukraine on 2 January 2024. CAR investigators documented over 290 components, mostly found in the missile's navigation system.🧵 (1/6) pic.twitter. com/WxsedC18K6

— CAR (@conflictarm) February 20, 2024

Recent components

These components are all quite recent, having been produced between 2021 and 2023. British researchers highlight the speed of assembly of the North Korean missile.

The latter did not publish the names of the companies concerned.

According to them, it is likely that these electronic components were not exported to the Kim Jong-un regime voluntarily, but that they were resold to

North Korea

by third-party companies.

These revelations once again show the difficulty of implementing the economic sanctions affecting the North Korean regime.

Despite an American

task force

launched by Joe Biden to monitor the trade in components that could be used to develop missiles, North Korea still manages to fuel its military program.

Sending missiles to Ukraine could also serve as a real-world test for the North Korean regime.

Also read: Ukraine: concerns are growing around the country's anti-aircraft defense

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