NK Unveils Aircraft

[Anchor Lead]

An aircraft made in New Zealand has been unveiled at an air show held in Wonsan, North Korea. The presence of a Western airplane demonstrates just how difficult it is to execute sanctions on North Korea, as aircraft exports to North Korea have been banned by the United Nations since North Korea's fourth nuclear test in March.

[Pkg]

In apparent mockery of the jet fuel ban placed on the sanctioned country, North Korea held its Wonsan Air Festival late last month. Various aircraft were exhibited at the show, including Mig-21 fighter jets and commercial planes from Air Koryo. Spotted among the fleet was a single-engine turboprop P-750 manufactured by Pacific Aerospace of New Zealand. A North Korean flag is clearly printed on its tail wing. The P-750 is largely used in the civilian sector, but can also be used for military purposes. This is why the aircraft was included in the embargo list against North Korea. The United Nations has been implementing sanctions banning the export of all aircraft to North Korea following the regime's fourth nuclear test in March. The U.S. daily Washington Post reported that Pacific Aerospace had sold the P-750 in question to a Chinese company last December. The report suggests that the banned aircraft most likely ended up in North Korea through China. The Washington Post pointed out that North Korea's border with China remains porous despite tough U.N. sanctions.