China’s decision to implement strong

international sanctions against North Korea has forced the regime to devise new

methods to smuggle in metals such as titanium that are essential in weapons

manufacturing. Daily NK has learned that Pyongyang is using its trade companies

to hide titanium plates on the bottoms of their trucks when crossing the

border, in order to enable uninterrupted supply.

“We heard that sanctions were kicking in

and not long after that, the supply for titanium plates used for weapons manufacturing

dried up,” a source from North Pyongan Province told Daily NK on Wednesday.

“The Dandong customs office (in China) is closely watching all goods related to

weapons production, so they haven’t officially been permitted to come through

since March,” the source explained.

Sources in the same province and South

Pyongan Province corroborated this news.

A titanium plate (20 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm)

costs approximately 1,000 to 1,500 RMB, and those manufactured for military

purposes are being smuggled into Sinuiju hidden underneath trucks, claimed the

source.

Due to its lightness and strength, titanium

has multiple applications in industries like shipbuilding, chemicals, and oil

refineries, and is also used as a material to build nuclear reactors and airplanes.

The metal has good thermal resistance, which is why it is frequently used in

the North to manufacture missiles and other weapons.

In other words, for Pyongyang’s nuclear and

long-range missile development plans, titanium is an essential material. “There

are titanium mines here as well, but the quality is not as good so we’re

dependent on imports,” the source explained.

Beijing’s participation in global sanctions

has threatened Pyongyang’s supply chain. The source reported that even if a

single titanium plate is uncovered during customs inspections in Dandong, it

can lead to the seizure of all goods on the truck and an investigation into the

Chinese counterpart who sold the titanium and the vehicle used to transport it.

In light of these developments, the

leadership has ordered its trade companies to “use all means possible” to bring

in the material, leading to creative methods such as attaching the plates to

the bottom of cargo trucks.

The Chinese government has also prohibited

trade in any materials that could be used for military purposes, additionally

putting the damper on solar panel production within the North.

“These days, they’re even placing

restrictions on the smaller titanium plates that are used to make solar

panels,” the source said. “Ahead of the 7th Party Congress, when they are

supposed to promote Kim Jong Un’s legacy of resolving the power shortage

through solar energy, panel production is on the brink of coming to a halt.”

For this reason, trade companies are under

increased pressure to find new ways to secure their supply of titanium plates,

offering their Chinese counterparts higher prices. Faltering solar panel

production could lead to negative “loyalty assessments” during the upcoming

chonghwa (self-criticism sessions) for the “70-Day Battle,” the source said.