BERLIN • Germany's domestic intelligence agency chief has revealed that North Korea has been acquiring equipment and technology for its nuclear and weapons programmes through its Berlin embassy.
"We have noticed that so many procurement activities have taken place from the embassy. From our point of view, they were for the missile programme but also partly for the nuclear programme," BfV head Hans-Georg Maassen said in an interview with German public television channel ARD, to be aired today.
Extracts from the interview were published on Saturday.
Although the exact nature of the technology was not specified, the intelligence chief said it would have civilian and military uses.
"When we see such things, we stop them. But we cannot guarantee that we spot and block each attempt," he said.
Germany's domestic intelligence agency obtained clues on the technology procurements in 2016 and last year, according to an investigation by ARD.
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 last 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 (S$264 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.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
