North Korea Prepares to Export Military Drones to U.S. Adversaries

North Korea is poised to export military drones to U.S. adversaries, notably Iran and Russia, despite ongoing international sanctions. Kim Jong Un has pushed for an increase in drone production, implementing clandestine methods to evade detection. Export of drones is set to expand to various regions, raising concerns over enforcement of arms embargoes and the implications for global security.

North Korea appears poised to export military drones to U.S. adversaries, including Iran and proxy forces, according to recent reports. The regime is ramping up drone production despite ongoing international sanctions designed to restrict its arms trade. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China for comment but received no response due to after-hours timing.

The situation is significant as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un mandated the commencement of “full-scale production as soon as possible” in November. In a strategy to reinforce ties with its limited international allies and attract foreign currency, North Korea has devised sophisticated methods to circumvent sanctions imposed by the United Nations against its nuclear and missile programs. One of these partners is Russia, which, according to the U.S. and South Korea, has already received a substantial quantity of North Korean munitions to bolster its invasion of Ukraine.

According to a high-ranking North Korean official, inspections of drones intended for export commenced on March 7, with those that meet the criteria scheduled for immediate shipment. Potential destinations noted include long-time allies such as Iran and Syria, as well as Houthi rebels in Yemen, militant factions in Africa, and possibly Russia. Additionally, the drones, which consist of reconnaissance and loitering suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are manufactured in a factory located in North Pyongan Province.

To evade international scrutiny, North Korea has developed strategies such as shipping UAV components separately and using various routes to assemble the drones upon arrival. This method has been utilized in previous arms exports. Furthermore, it is reported that North Korea is increasingly relying on untraceable financial transactions via cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ethereum, supplemented by front companies in other nations to obfuscate payment mechanisms.

Vann Van Diepen, a former U.S. State Department weapons expert, expressed skepticism regarding North Korea’s ability to competitively price its conventional arms. In an analysis for 38 North, he noted uncertainty over whether North Korea could undercut other non-Western suppliers or whether its drone models, Saetbyol-4 and -9, would be technologically competitive enough to justify North Korea’s pricing.

The potential response from the United Nations and its regional partners, including the United States, remains uncertain if these shipments proceed. However, the dismantling of the U.N. sanctions review panel by permanent Security Council member Russia last year could compromise enforcement measures, permitting North Korea greater latitude to expand its arms exports without significant oversight.

In conclusion, North Korea is actively accelerating its military drone production and plans to supply U.S. adversaries with its drones, particularly targeting nations like Iran and Russia. The regime is employing evasive tactics to overcome international sanctions, complicating enforcement efforts. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, it remains critical to monitor the implications of these developments for regional security and international compliance with arms treaties.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com