German intel chief: North Korea used embassy for procurement

This Aug. 29, 2017, file photo distributed on Aug. 30, 2017, by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP)

BERLIN: The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says North Korea has used its embassy in Berlin to acquire equipment apparently intended for its missile or nuclear programs.
The comments by BfV agency head Hans-Georg Maassen were released by NDR public television Saturday before a documentary airing next week. Maassen said of the embassy: “We have seen that procurement activities took place from there, from our point of view with a view to the missile program and in part also the nuclear program.”
He added that “if we see such things, we prevent them,” but it isn’t always possible to recognize them and the activities often involve goods usable for either civilian or military purposes.
Pyongyang has faced increasing UN sanctions in response to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.