S/2013/337 - National Committee on North Korea

S/<strong>2013</strong>/<strong>337</strong>
58. The Panel emphasizes that Member States are now called upon in paragraph 22
of resolution 2094 (<strong>2013</strong>) to deny the export to the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea of any items that they determine could contribute to its nuclear and missile
programmes, even when official assurances have been provided.
Acquisition by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of computer
numerically controlled machine tools and technology
59. In March <strong>2013</strong>, Kim Jong-Un officially directed that computer numerically
controlled (CNC) technology be incorporated into the atomic energy industry of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a sector also tasked with the development of
nuclear weapons. 43 The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also assigns strategic
importance to computer numerically controlled technology in its military industry,
especially ballistic missile programmes. Certain computer numerically controlled
machine tools with nuclear and ballistic missile-related applications are at present
included in the lists of items whose export and import are prohibited by the
resolutions. 44 There is, however, broad consensus among technical experts that the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea could make effective use in its illicit
programmes of machine tools outside current parameters.
Figure XV
Kim Jong-Il visiting a factory using computer numerically controlled machines in
Huichon, Jagang Province, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (May 2009)
Source: AP/KCNA via KNS.
60. The Panel’s research shows that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in
the past, illegally acquired computer numerically controlled machine tools and related
equipment from companies based in Taiwan Province of China. This machinery and
equipment were classified as strategic high-tech items, and their export to the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was prohibited by law. In every instance, the
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43 Kim Jong-Un stated that “CNC technology and unmanned technology should be introduced in
equipment and production processes in the field of atomic energy industry”. “Kim Jong-Un’s
report at March <strong>2013</strong> plenary meeting of the Central <strong>Committee</strong>, WPK”, Rodong Sinmun,
2 April <strong>2013</strong>.
44 Computer numerically controlled machine tools have various nuclear and missile applications,
such as to shape solid propellant motor nozzles or re-entry vehicle nose tips.
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