N.Korea Develops Missiles Independently, Says CIA

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency CIA said in an unclassified document Monday that North Korea has independently developed and made ballistic missiles.

In a report on the technology acquisition of weapons of mass destruction and cutting-edge conventional bombs for 2006, the CIA said Pyongyang has been developing, producing and deploying weapons to extend the range of its ballistic missiles and increase accuracy.

The document said North Korea uses different channels to import commodities and parts for missile production, but that it can almost produce and develop the weapons on its own.

The U.S. intelligence agency also said Pyongyang has been trying to sell missile system technologies to other countries. But two U.N. Security Council resolutions in the wake of North Korea’s missile test and nuclear detonation in 2006 removed the incentives to buy North Korean missiles for other countries.

The CIA, however, said North Korea’s close relations with Iran and Syria are a source of concern.