North Korean Naval Ships Used Japanese Civilian Radar Components

According to an investigation report by the United Nations, it revealed that North Korea has reconfigured Japanese made civilian radar systems for use by naval ships as showcased at an anti-ship missile test reported last year.

The document also cites a ship linked to a UN blacklisted North Korean shipping company berthed near a city in western Japan for a few days last March, Japan Times news daily cited a Kyodo News report.

The document is compiled by experts investigating UN sanctions against North Korea. The Panel of Experts was set up under a 2009 Security Council resolution after Pyongyang’s second nuclear test to investigate how sanctions are implemented and present recommendations to enhance the sanctions regime.

Concerning the Japanese radars, the report says, “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea acquired and adapted commercial antennas for their naval vessels, three of which were seen during the test-firing of an anti-ship missile publicized on Feb. 7, 2015.”

Although the unnamed Japanese manufacturer said it had “no records of sale” to the country after June 12, 2009, the panel notes that the systems displayed aboard the missile boats were “off-the-shelf products.” They are widely used around the world in the fishing and leisure craft markets, it adds.

As the items cannot be traced without a serial number, the panel cautions countries to remain on guard when exporting any maritime electronics, including radars, sonar systems and compasses.

With the revelation that commercial Japanese devices have been funnelled to North Korean military forces, the Japanese government may feel compelled to come up with a new response to ensure the effectiveness of sanctions, particularly after its decision Wednesday to tighten measures to punish Pyongyang for its recent activities.

The Security Council has also been discussing sanctions against the North in response to its fourth nuclear test in January and satellite launch using ballistic missile technology this month — both banned under U.N. resolutions.