North Korea appeared to use a Chinese truck originally sold for hauling timber to transport and erect a ballistic missile that was successfully launched on
SEOUL – North Korea appeared to use a Chinese truck originally sold for hauling timber to transport and erect a ballistic missile that was successfully launched on Tuesday, highlighting the challenge of enforcing sanctions to curb its weapons program.
North Korea state television showed a large truck painted in military camouflage carrying the missile. It was identical to one a U. N. sanctions panel has said was “most likely” converted from a Chinese timber truck.
Since 2006, U. N. sanctions have banned the shipment of military hardware to North Korea. But control of equipment and vehicles that have “dual-use” military and civilian applications has been far less stringent.
The vehicle was imported from China and declared for civilian use by the North Korean foreign ministry, according to a 2013 report by the U. N. panel. Tuesday’s launch was the first time the truck had been seen in a military field operation in pictures published in state media.
China, North Korea’s largest trading partner and its sole major ally, is under increasing pressure from U. S. President Donald Trump, who has said Chinese efforts to rein in North Korea’s weapons programs have failed.
The truck had been previously on display at military parades in 2012 and in 2013 carrying what experts said appeared to be developmental models or mock-ups of North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missiles.
