DATE=9/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=N. KOREA / ARMS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254394
BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A report by the South Korean Defense
Ministry says North Korea has exported millions
of dollars worth of military hardware in recent
years. Hyun-Sung Khang reports from the South
Korean capital that the ministry estimates sales
from Pyongyang accounted for more than seven per
cent of the country's total exports.
TEXT: There have been long-standing rumors that
North Korea has been selling military hardware to
other countries, including Pakistan and Iran.
Such claims have been almost impossible to
confirm. But according to a new report by the
South Korean Defense Ministry, the reclusive
state sold eight hundred million dollars worth of
military hardware between 1991 and 1998.
While the report did not specify where the
equipment ended up, it suggested that the
customers were countries in the Middle East and
South East Asia.
Included on the export list were Scud-B and Scud-
C missiles -- rockets based on Soviet technology.
The report suggested that the military exports
accounted for seven point one percent of the
country's total exports in the last three years.
The report went on to say that Pyongyang imported
over one hundred million dollars worth of
military equipment in the last five years,
including helicopters, anti-aircraft guns and
military trucks. The hardware was purchased from
China, Russia and other countries of the former
Soviet Union.
Some of the equipment bought by North Korea could
have legitimate civilian uses, such as the six
thousand diving suits bought from Japan in 1996.
But they can equally be put to military use: the
diving suits were similar to those found on the
bodies of North Korean agents, who attempted to
infiltrate into the South, over a year ago.
According to the Defense Ministry report, North
Korea also sent more than 440 military personnel
overseas to such regions as Africa, Southwest
Asia and the Middle East. The suggestion is that
the personnel might have been sent abroad to
negotiate arms deals and earn foreign currency.
The study, which has been drawn up for review by
the South Korean legislature, comes after a
recent agreement between North Korea and the
United States under which Pyongyang promised to
suspend test launches of its long-range missiles.
In return, the United States has agreed to relax
a number of economic sanctions against the
Communist state.
North Korea has one of the world's largest
standing armies and remains technically at war
with the South. The 1950-53 war ended in a
truce, rather than a peace agreement. And while
Pyongyang spends millions of dollars on military
equipment, the country has been experiencing
years of dire food shortages. (Signed)
NEB/HSK/FC
28-Sep-1999 07:15 AM EDT (28-Sep-1999 1115 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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