Germany Claims North Korea is Smuggling Missiles Technology From Its Embassy

New details in North Korea’s top secret missiles program reveal the country has been smuggling in equipment and technology through its Berlin embassy. (VO* 2 [show embassy, then the guys in the room]) The startling claim, coming from Germany’s intelligence chief, telling ARD, "We determined that from there (the North Korean embassy in Berlin) weapons procurement took place, in our view, with an eye toward the missile program and in part also the nuclear program." (VO* 2, 3) But stopping it appears easier said than done.

Those goods smuggled in are so-called dual-use goods which can be used for civilian and military purposes.

Authorities believe parts for North Korea’s weapons program were acquired through shadow buyers in Germany. (VO* 4) A spokesman from the North Korean embassy in Berlin adamantly denies the claim. (VO* 5, 6) The report comes as the United Nations claims the ostracized nation earned almost $200 million from exporting coal and banned goods last year.