North Korea continues to develop long-range nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles despite sanctions, according to a confidential UN report.

"North Korea does not end its illegal ballistic and nuclear missile program in 2019. These weapons continue to improve, violating sanctions," Reuters reported on Jan. 11, citing a confidential report. of the Korean Embargo Commission (SCNK) of the United Nations Security Council. This report is expected to be published next month.

North Korea conducted 13 missile tests last year, launching at least 25 types of missiles, including some of the new short-range ballistic and submarine-launched missiles. "Pyongyang is continuing to develop the infrastructure and resources for its missile program," the report said.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006. These sanctions have been continuously strengthened by the Security Council to cut funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile program.

"Pyongyang is still conducting illegal procurement of equipment and technology," the report said, adding that North Korea had secretly imported oil and exported US $ 370 million worth of coal thanks to it. Chinese cargo ships.

The sanctions monitoring committee said North Korea was using barges to export millions of tons of embargoed goods since 2017. "About 2.7 million tons of coal is transferred from Korean cargo ships to Chinese barges. Korea in the period of January to August 2019, "the report revealed. The cargo goes directly to three seaports in Hangzhou Bay and production facilities along the Yangtze.

Beijing has repeatedly denied allegations of abetting Pyongyang, affirming its full compliance with UN sanctions. "China has always strictly implemented its international obligations, despite enormous losses and pressure in this process," said a spokesman for the Chinese delegation at the United Nations.

The sanctions are not aimed at North Korean civilians, but the report acknowledges they also have unintended consequences with the humanitarian situation and relief operations in the country. Russia and China have expressed concerns about the threat of sanctions on civilians, expressing hope that some sanctions will be relaxed to promote dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

However, the US, France and Britain say that now is not the time to consider removing sanctions, especially when Pyongyang is resuming operations at many nuclear facilities and ballistic missiles.

The UN embargo watchdog also accused North Korea of continuing global cyberattacks, targeting financial companies and the cryptocurrency exchange market. "These are low-risk campaigns that bring great benefits, are difficult to detect and become more and more sophisticated," concluded the SCNK.