North Korea has maintained and further developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs throughout 2020, the United Nations said in a confidential report. This is contrary to international sanctions.
According to the report, Pyongyang has “produced fissile materials, maintained nuclear facilities and upgraded ballistic missile infrastructure”. North Korea has also searched abroad for materials and technologies for these programs.
According to the report, North Korea has exhibited new ballistic missile systems at military parades for the past year. Although no nuclear or ballistic missile tests were conducted in 2020, Pyongyang is said to have “announced preparations for testing and the production and development of new weapons”.
The annual report to the Security Council committee that discusses sanctions against North Korea appears weeks after Joe Biden was installed as the new president of the United States. A spokesman for the US State Department said that Biden’s cabinet is preparing a new approach to North Korea on Monday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and previous US President Donald Trump met a total of three times in 2018 and 2019, but the United States was unable to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. North Korea’s demand to have sanctions lifted against the country also led to nothing.