North Korea last year continued to develop programs in the field of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, and cyber attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges were an important source of income for Pyongyang, follows from excerpts from a confidential UN report published by Reuters, RIA Novosti reports.

The report, which was prepared by independent observers of the sanctions, was presented on Friday evening to the UN Security Council committee on sanctions against the DPRK.

Despite the fact that there were no reports of nuclear tests or launches of ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles), the DPRK continued to develop its potential for the production of nuclear fissile materials, the experts noted.

According to the report, the country also continued to develop the infrastructure of nuclear and ballistic missiles, and in this context it is indicated that Pyongyang continued to seek materials, technologies and know-how for these programs abroad, including through cyber means and joint scientific research, the report said, Reuters noted.

The experts also noted that Pyongyang noticeably accelerated its missile tests, and also stressed that cyber attacks, especially on cryptocurrency assets, remain an important source of income for North Korea. From 2020 and mid-2021, as a result of cyber attacks from North Korea, more than $ 50 million was stolen from at least three cryptocurrency exchanges in North America, Europe and Asia.