NK animators; Used cars to DPRK; NK economic delegation to Iran; Iran to accept Russian Mir cards
Prohibited Transactions for the week of 22 Apr 2024 (#45)
North Korea
An incorrectly configured cloud storage server likely controlled by a sanctioned North Korean animation studio revealed that the company appears to be working on overseas projects by US, Japanese, and Chinese animation companies. Notes in the files were written in Chinese, indicating that PRC-based animation contractors are possibly subcontracting some of the work out to the North Korean studio. //I know supply chain due diligence exists, but if the Chinese contractors wanted to conceal that they were subcontracting out to North Koreans, I would think the foreign animation companies would have a hard time detecting it.
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According to covert reporting from inside North Korea, the government is encouraging Chinese businesspeople to return to the North Korean cities and check on factories or otherwise prepare to resume business activities.
The UN granted a sanctions waiver for the World Health Organization (WHO) to import 62 multipurpose tents and 175 infrared thermometers into North Korea. The goods will be shipped via Dubai.
Smuggling of used cars into North Korea from the PRC is on the rise, due to a recent surge in demand. The cars — typically purchased in Jilin province’s Changbai Korean Autonomous County, or Dandong — are often dismantled for parts.
Pyongyang warned that new US sanctions will result in a larger buildup of the DPRK’s military strength.
Iran
For the first time in five years, the DPRK sent an economic delegation to Iran, and may be looking to deepen ties between the two countries. Some experts speculated that North Korean parts or technology could have been used by Iran in their missile barrage aimed at Israel in mid-April. The visit to Iran could be part of a broader outreach to nations that are friendly with Russia. //Considering the geopolitical positions that Tehran and Pyongyang find themselves in, it’s no surprise the two countries may draw closer to one another.
Iran’s oil minister said that Pakistan hopes that the Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline becomes operational as soon as possible. An Iranian politician stated that the IP pipeline could be used to send gas to other countries including the PRC, possibly via Turkmenistan.
The joint statement between Iran and Pakistan following the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad stated that the “two sides agreed to further expand trade and economic cooperation and affirmed their commitment to transform their common border from ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’ through joint development-oriented economic projects, including setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings” and that they will work to boost their bilateral trade to USD10 billion a year.
The US government warned Islamabad that closer economic ties to Iran could result in US sanctions.
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Iran is working on technological infrastructure that will allow for accepting Russian Mir debit and credit cards. Testing could start by the end of the summer.
Iran Air reported that a Boeing 737 was added to the domestic fleet of the airline. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) stated that 66 planes have been imported to Iran between August 2021 and March 2024 (see Issues #2 and #7)
Iran’s energy ministry is reporting that an electricity connection project between Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan is at the final stages, and could eventually provide energy to Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s first export shipment of mineral ore was taken by train to Turkey via Iran.
The US, UK and Canada simultaneously sanctioned over a dozen entities, individuals, and vessels that engaged in facilitating the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).