This article was originally posted on VOA and translated by OKN Correspondent.
A recently released photo confirmed that North Korean authorities are using American computers and software that are prohibited to be sold in North Korea. Questions arise as goods prohibited by sanctions against North Korea are still being used. Ham Ji-ha reports.
On March 10, North Korea’s state media, including Rodong Sinmun, released photos, stating that Kim Jong-un is being hands-on at the National Aerospace Development Administration.
However, this photo also shows about 50 “Dell” computer monitors from the United States all around Kim.
All of these monitors, believed to be LCD or LED, appear to be the same product as the “Dell” logo was printed on the back of the screen.
Also, it’s likely the monitors were connected to computers placed under the desk, but is impossible to verify, but highly possible it is also a Dell product.
Founded in 1984 by an American businessman, Dell manufactures and sells personal-use computers and related products, and its headquarters is based in Texas, USA.
Currently, the U.S. government is imposing sanctions to prevent the sale of American technology and products to North Korea, and the UN Security Council also prohibits the export of computers and various machinery to North Korea.
Therefore, if these Dell computers in question were not approved by the U.S. government for export and by the UN Security Council, bringing in any Dell computers into North Korea is a violation of sanctions.
In another photo released by the press, it shows a screen on the Dell monitor in which the Windows 7 software produced by Microsoft was running.
As with the computers, bringing in American-made software is subject to violating U.S. and UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
VOA has reached out to Dell and is currently waiting for a response in this matter.
This is not the first time North Korea was found with products sanctioned or prohibited luxury items from being brought into the country.
Most recently, VOA reported in 2020 that North Korean media edited photos using software such as Adobe Photoshop 7.0 or Photoshop CS6, also an American company.
In addition, when North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in July 2017, a TV manufactured by Japan’s Sony was found at the launch site.
Expensive vehicles such as Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus, which are being used by Kim, have also been spotted several times.
In 2018, when South Korean President Moon Jae-in was part of a car parade in Pyongyang, several brand-new Mercedes-Benz vehicles were caught on film with Pyongyang license plates. It’s also been confirmed that several CF650Gs produced by CFMOTO, headquartered in Hangzhou, China, are used by the North Korean security detail.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1718 was adopted in 2006 to impose an embargo on luxury goods. Subsequently, in 2013, an additional resolution was adopted to create a list of luxury goods, including “high-priced vehicles.”
In addition, as the embargo was imposed on goods used by the North Korean military, the possibility of violating sanctions was raised due to those motorcycles found in Pyongyang.
Currently, the most expensive luxury good found in North Korea is known to be a yacht.
A panel of experts on the UN Security Council said that the British yacht ‘Princess 95MY’ was found in North Korea, which is priced to be from $4 million to $6 million, manufactured between 2007 and 2011, and is said to have sold only 21 units worldwide.
North Korea also brought luxury goods to the Masikryong Ski Resort in 2014, including snowplows, cable cars, and snowmobiles made by companies from Italy, Canada, Austria, and China.
To read the original article in Korean, please click here.
