Putin unlocked some of the frozen assets of the DPRK in exchange for weapons - nyt
The published states that last month, the White House stated that North Korea had provided Russian ballistic missiles, and instead requires military equipment. Also, according to the analysis of the British Analytical Security Center, Pyongyang sent 2. 5 million ammunition to the Russian Federation.
Journalists emphasize that although it is unclear whether Russia's military equipment that it needs, however, new banking would be another "sign of stable progress in relations between the two countries. " The publication adds that Russia has allowed the release of $ 9 million frozen assets of North Korea stored in the Russian financial institution. According to intelligence representatives, this money will use the DPRK to buy raw oil.
Intelligence staff also stated that the North Korean "Figure Company" recently opened an account with another Russian bank, which "indicates that Moscow may help to bypass the UN sanctions," which forbid most banks with North Korea. According to officials who gave NYT comment on the conditions of anonymity, a new bank account is located in South Ossetia, occupied by the territory of Georgia.
According to the publication, US officials cannot confirm the details of bank agreements, however, one of the high -ranking persons said that these agreements "meet the expectations of the United States as to what North Korea would seek from Russia in connection with the transfer of weapons. " According to experts, access to financial networks is only one of the points in the North Korean wishes.
They assure that most of the DPRK wants to receive advanced military equipment from Russia, such as satellite technologies and atomic submarines. NYT emphasizes that bank arrangements may be important for North Korea, which is imposed on imports to support most of their economy. "These relationships could facilitate transactions not only within Russia but also beyond.
North Korea could use Moscow's ties with several countries, including Turkey and South Africa, which still trade with Russia after they were against it International sanctions were introduced because of the war in Ukraine, "the message reads. The Minister of Finance Minister and Financial Crime Expert Juan K.
Zapate is convinced that if Moscow allows the DPRK to use Russian banks or unlocks frozen assets, it will mean that the government "has" passed Rubicon of readiness to deal with North Korea and be financial and commercial. " In addition, in his opinion, unlocking the $ 9 million of frozen assets is a "relatively small amount", but the North Koreans "congratulate any alternative ways of access to capital".
The publication added that financial transactions could be more "pleasant" than supplying military technologies. According to the former CIA analyst on North Korea, SU Kim, even though both countries could "benefit for themselves now", their trust is not so great that Russia "give its valuable secrets. " Experts in a comment to the publication said that Russia will be cautious because it still "remembers the sanctions of the UN" as a permanent member of the Security Council.