Ukraine denies suppling missile technology to NORTH KOREA
GETTY Ukraine has been forced to deny reports of involvement in North Korea's missile programme
Claims have surfaced alleging North Korea’s recent successful missile tests were only possible with the black market purchase of powerful rocket engines from a Ukrainian factory. There are increased concerns worldwide that Pyongyang is extremely close to achieving its goal of striking the US mainland using an intercontinental ballistic missile. In the report, published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, there are claims that the ICBMs used by North Korea were fitted with a rocket engine of a type that marked a radical departure from those the North Koreans had been experimenting with before, and which strongly resemble a Soviet-era design.
The allegations of any Ukrainian backing for the hermit nation’s nuclear programme were refuted by the secretary of the country’s Security and Defence Council, Oleksandr Turchynov. He said: “Ukraine has never supplied rocket engines or any kind of missile technology to North Korea." The state-owned Yuzhmash factory issued a statement on its website claiming no military-grade ballistic missiles had been produced at the site since independence was declared from the Soviet Union in 1991.
GETTY Reports suggest ICBMs used by North Korea were fitted with a Soviet-style rocket engine
The reports came from expert analysis and American intelligence agencies, with many claiming it would be a likely explanation behind the rapid acceleration of the North’s missile programme. Michael Elleman, a missile expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: “It’s likely that these engines came from Ukraine — probably illicitly. “The big question is how many they have and whether the Ukrainians are helping them now. I’m very worried.”
GETTY The North Korean leader has been seen celebrating his successful missile tests
Until now, President Trump has singled out only China as the North’s main source of economical and technical support, although his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has recently made reference to both China and Russia as Kim Jong-un’s “principal economic enablers”. The claims and allegations follow a stark warning from the President that the US military was "locked and loaded" should North Korea acted unwisely. His comments came off the back of threats that the North would aim to land missiles near the US Pacific territory of Guam.
Never-before seen pics: North Korea missile programme Wed, August 9, 2017 These images contained scenes from the early years of North Korea's missile programme under Kim Il Sung, the country's founder, until the most recent ICBM test on July 4 Play slideshow North Korea State Media 1 of 187