South Korea Tightens Controls on Items Linked to North Korean Solid-Fuel Missile Development
Seoul, South Korea – In a move aimed at curbing NorthKorea’s ballistic missile program, the South Korean government on October 31st added 15 items crucial for the development of solid-fuel ballistic missilesto its export control list. This action seeks to prevent these materials from reaching North Korea and being used in its weapons development efforts.
The newly added items includekey components that North Korea struggles to produce domestically, such as ammonium perchlorate, sodium chloride, liquid polysulfide rubber, graphite cylinders, natural rubber, electronic accelerometers, electronic inertial measurement units, and thermal batteries. These materials are essential for theproduction of solid-fuel propellants, a crucial component of solid-fuel missiles.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 15 items will be banned from export to North Korea, even through third countries. The government plans to sharethis updated list with key allies to ensure a coordinated international effort in enforcing export restrictions on North Korea.
The South Korean government believes that adding these items to the UN Security Council’s existing sanctions list will significantly strengthen international sanctions against North Korea. This move comes in response to North Korea’s recent series of ballistic missile launches,which have heightened tensions in the region.
Solid-fuel missiles offer several advantages over liquid-fuel missiles, including faster launch times, greater mobility, and a reduced risk of detection. North Korea’s development of solid-fuel missiles is seen as a major threat by South Korea and its allies, as it would significantlyenhance the country’s military capabilities.
This latest action by South Korea demonstrates its commitment to preventing North Korea from acquiring the technology and materials needed to develop advanced weapons systems. It remains to be seen how effectively the new export controls will be enforced and whether they will ultimately deter North Korea from pursuing its missile program.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, October 31). South Korea adds items linked to North Korean solid-fuel missile development to export control list. Retrieved from [Insert Link to Yonhap News Article]
Views: 0