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North Korea illegally shipped 40 ballistic missiles to other countries in recent years, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed US officials.
The officials commented on a Congressional Research Service report that cites US, Russian, Chinese and European arms transfers, as well as 40 surface-to-surface missiles sold in the Near East by “other suppliers” that were not named.
The newspaper said that White House and Pentagon officials identified that country as North Korea. The report covers a four-year period, which ended in 2005.
International agreements to control the trade of ballistic missiles ban such transfers.
A US State Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the article for AFP.
The congressional study also states that Russia is now the top arms supplier to the developing world, earning seven billion dollars last year selling weaponry to Asia, Africa and Latin America.
