Components from North Korean ballistic missile remnants found in Ukraine bore marks of US and European based businesses, according to a weapons tracking group on February 20.

According to the Conflict Armament Research (CAR) report, North Korea has managed to acquire Western components for its weapons despite strict sanctions. These weapons are reportedly being utilized by Moscow in the conflict with Ukraine, as per Straits Times.

North Korea's US Tech Dependency

The UK-based investigative organization Conflict Armament Research (CAR) has uncovered evidence of North Korea's extensive use of foreign technology, particularly components from the United States, in its missile program.

The findings, based on the examination of remnants from a North Korean ballistic missile recovered in Ukraine, highlight the persistent challenge faced by the Biden administration in preventing Western-made microelectronics from being diverted to countries like North Korea, Iran, and Russia for military purposes.

Upon examination of 290 components from the missile, analysts discovered that more than 75% were designed and sold by US-based companies. Furthermore, 16% of the components came from European companies, with the remaining 9% from Asian companies.

The missile's navigation system, a crucial component, was mainly obtained from companies based in various countries including the US, China, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

This discovery echoes CAR's previous findings that the majority of components inside Iranian-made attack drones, utilized by Russia in Ukraine, were also manufactured by US companies. Despite extensive sanctions and export controls, the Biden administration faces challenges in preventing the diversion of technology intended for civilian use to countries with military ambitions.

The report does not name specific companies responsible for the components, as there is no evidence of deliberate shipment to North Korea. Instead, the components likely entered the global supply chain and were diverted at some point before reaching international distributors. CAR emphasizes working with the companies to address the issue rather than publicly shaming them, according to CNN News.

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North Korea's Swift Missile Deployment

North Korea has proven its ability to quickly produce and deploy missiles using components made between 2021 and 2023. This specific missile, which Russia deployed in Ukraine in January, indicates the difficulties of regulating the movement of commercial electronics, especially semiconductor components, throughout the intricate global supply chain.

According to the report, North Korea has effectively built a strong purchase network, managing to avoid detection and bypass sanctions that have been in place for almost twenty years. The results indicate concerns about the effectiveness of existing strategies to manage the spread of military technology, as well as the obstacles faced by the US and its partners.

While North Korea continues to supply missiles to Russia, the Biden administration has faced obstacles in providing new weaponry and equipment to the Ukrainian military due to a lack of approved supplemental funding from Congress.

Recent missile attacks across seven regions of Ukraine have sparked concerns regarding the accuracy and impact of North Korean missiles. The strikes resulted in civilian casualties, prompting investigations into the possible use of North Korean missiles in certain cases, such as an airstrike near the town of Bucha.

The broader implications of North Korea's reliance on foreign technology for its missiles extend beyond the Ukrainian theater, with South Korea and Japan keenly observing to enhance their defense capabilities. Military experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of missile capabilities, challenging the narrative presented by North Korean state media, CNN News reported.

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