‘Economic agent for N Korea’ held

MOSCOW: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested a man yesterday on suspicion of acting as an economic agent for North Korea, involved in brokering sales of missile components, according to the police press service.

“The AFP has arrested a 59-yearold Sydney man for allegedly acting as an economic agent for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea government in Australia… It will be alleged in court the man was involved in brokering the sale of missiles and missile components and expertise from North Korea to other international entities,” the police statement read.

The man is also suspected of attempts to transfer coal from North Korea to Indonesia and Vietnam.

The police stressed that it was the first arrest under the Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act 1995 in Australia.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense due to Pyongyang’s missile launches and nuclear tests, all conducted in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.

In September, the Security Council adopted a resolution that imposed a new batch of sanctions on North Korea’s officials, economy, industry and military.

The most recent ballistic missile test was conducted by Pyongyang late last month.