Ukraine denies accusations of providing space technology to North Korea
The State Space Agency of Ukraine said that the accusations of Ukraine giving space technology to North Korea are “absolutely baseless”.
“As of today, not a single space project is being realized with states which are not members of the Missile Technology Control Regime, which makes provisions for the transfer of category I goods. Given the above, any accusations of transferring goods or technology to North Korea which would enable the development of the ballistic program are absolutely baseless,” the Ukrainian agency’s statement reads.
The agency also notes that Ukraine is adhering to all international obligations, and most notably those in the context of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
According to legislation, within the limits of its powers, the State Space Agency controls matters relating to the import and re-export of space equipment and space technology, and their temporary import or export beyond Ukraine.
On August 14, the New York Times reported that North Korea’s success with missile launches became possible due to its acquisition of engines on the black market, probably from a Ukrainian factory.
In the published investigation, the newspaper cites Michael Elleman, a missile expert from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who 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.”
According to him, UN investigators have ascertained that six years ago North Korea attempted to steal missile secrets from the Ukrainian industry. The investigators believe that during the period after the revolution in Ukraine, Pyongyang made a new attempt.
Last month Yuzhmash enterprise denied that it is struggling to survive and selling its technology abroad, to countries including China. The company’s website specifies that it is not involved and will not be involved in “the transfer of potentially dangerous technology outside of Ukraine”.
The American investigators are not convinced by this denial, although they admit that there is no evidence whether the government of President Petro Poroshenko, who recently visited the White House, had any knowledge or control over what took place inside the complex.
The article also cites Elleman, who considers it possible that the Russian missile company Energomash, which has strong ties to the Ukrainian industry, played a role in the transfer of RD-250 engine technology to North Korea. He pointed out that such engines could be stored at warehouses in Russia.