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As the world looks on in shock and horror, the Syrian regime has on several occasions used chemical weapons to inflict casualties on its own people. Of this there is no doubt. These events have been widely reported in the international press. But what has not been widely reported in the press is the fact that North Korea is the main supplier to Syria, of not only chemical weapons, but the platforms that carry them (ballistic missiles).
North Korea has designed and built at least two chemical weapons facilities in Syria. Indeed, despite the lack of statements coming from Washington ― either from the White House or the Pentagon ― regarding North Korea's role, Pyongyang appears to be Syria's main provider of chemical weapons. This is a role that is not new. North Korea has been proliferating chemical weapons and Scud missiles that can be used as platforms to launch them since the 1990s.
While North Korea's role has been a constant one, Pyongyang's profitable proliferation to Syria appears to have been stepped up in several ways since the civil war began in that nation. In addition to providing protective suits, Pyongyang has been providing technical expertise for fabricating warheads and weaponizing the chemicals, and supplied parts vital for the process of matching the warheads to the missiles.
It is important to note that, much like the chemical weapons factories, North Korea has also built at least one facility to fabricate Scud missiles in Syria. The facility continues to function today ― as do the chemical weapons facilities ― with the aid of North Korean advisors.
But there is far more. According to Middle Eastern security officials, the North Koreans collaborated with the Iranians to direct an operations room that is advising Syria on its air defense systems ― an important role, as Syria braces for attacks from the United States.
North Korea has also reportedly stepped up the number of personnel who are actually on the ground advising and supporting Syrian military forces. As the Syrian military uses its weaponry against its own people, North Korean technical experts and logistics personnel are on the ground to supply badly needed repairs or new components, for both missiles and artillery ― in addition to the reported re-supply of small arms.
Non-governmental organizations have spotted North Korean officers (who reportedly speak Arabic) at a number of locations, including chemical weapons facilities, and defense factories near Aleppo. At one facility, there are so many North Koreans that they are said to live in an exclusive compound ― complete with a manicured lawn and a swimming pool.
The United Nations Security Council, in a document released in 2012, definitively stated that the North Koreans have ― including during 2012 ― been actively engaged in proliferating chemical weapons technology, ballistic missile components, and expertise to maintain these weapons. This has enabled the Syrians to effectively use these weapons against its own people.
With the North Koreans providing Syria with ballistic missile components, small arms, chemical weapons and the expertise to use these weapons, and a stepped-up role in the number of advisors on the ground, one must wonder, why is the United States ― and the world ― not paying more attention?
The answer to this question is unknown. There have been a number of interdictions of attempted maritime shipments from North Korea to Syria over the past two years. But more can be done.
The amount of resources and personnel devoted to the Proliferation Security Initiative can be stepped up. Renewed focus on going after the banks and front companies that the profits are laundered through can occur. And American officials can be more forthcoming about the very important role that Pyongyang is playing in order to support Assad, one of the worst tyrants the world has seen in recent years. Unless and until these things happen, North Korea is likely to be able to continue to profitably proliferate to its long-time customer in Damascus.
Bruce E. Bechtol Jr. is an associate professor of political science at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, and the author of "The Last Days of Kim Jong-il: The North Korean Threat in a Changing Era." Contact him at bruce.bechtol@angelo.edu.
