Germany accuses North Korea of using embassy for procurement for missile program

By

The Associated Press

The City Hostel Berlin stands in the background of a sign indicating the North Korean embassy on May 10, 2017, in Berlin, Germany. (Adam Berry/Getty Images)

BERLIN — The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says North Korea has used its embassy in Berlin to acquire equipment apparently intended for its missile or nuclear programs.

The comments by BfV agency head Hans-Georg Maassen were released by NDR public television Saturday before a documentary airing next week.

“We have seen that procurement activities took place from there, from our point of view with a view to the missile program and in part also the nuclear program,” Maassen said of the embassy.

He added that “if we see such things, we prevent them,” but it isn’t always possible to recognize them and the activities often involve goods usable for either civilian or military purposes.

Pyongyang has faced increasing U.N. sanctions in response to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.