North Korea and Iran have shared ballistic missile technology, according to a UN sanctions report which China has sought to block, diplomats said Sunday.
A Chinese representative on the UN panel of experts on North Korea nuclear sanctions refused to sign off on the report, which said prohibited material was moved through a “neighboring third country”.
The country is not named in the report, excerpts of which were passed to AFP, but diplomats said it was China, the isolated north’s closest ally.
The UN Security Council imposed sanctions against North Korea after two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. It is banned from dealing in nuclear and ballistic material.
“Prohibited ballistic missile-related items are suspected to have been transferred between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran on regular scheduled flights of Air Koryo and Iran Air,” the report said.
Air Koryo and Iran Air are the national airlines of North Korea and Iran. Both countries face UN sanctions over their nuclear programs.
North Korea’s international nuclear exchanges have faced growing examination from the United Nations and western countries.
China sought to block a previous sanctions panel report on North Korea. The New York Times said the Chinese expert had refused to sign the new report following political pressure from Beijing.
The experts’ report has been sent to all 15 members of the Security Council. It can only be released when there is unanimous agreement.
