Swiss-made component found in North Korean missile
A Swiss-made component was used in a long-range ballistic missile tested by North Korea in 2012, the Sonntagsblick newspaper reports, citing United Nations Security Council investigations.
After wreckage of the North Korean Unha-3 rocket tested in 2012 was recovered in the Yellow Sea by South Korea’s navy, UN specialists discovered components originating from 13 countries, including the United States and South Korea, Sonntagsblick reported on SundayExternal link.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) confirmed to Sonntagsblick that the long-range rocket also used a direct current converter made by a Swiss firm. The part is used to generate the correct voltage in a battery. It is unclear how the part was integrated into the rocket, the newspaper reported.
“Switzerland has been unable to trace the supply chain of the converter, as it is produced in large numbers and sold on the Internet,” a UN report stated.
SECO told the paper that the Swiss company in question had been extremely cooperative and carried out extensive research with its distributors.
“Since there was no evidence of any misconduct on the part of the Swiss company, no criminal investigation was opened,” SECO spokesman Fabian Maienfisch declared.
In October 2013 and March 2014, two drones crashed over South Korea, most likely built by North Korea, according to the UN. In its article Sonntagsblick said the drones also contained a Swiss-made component – a GPS positioning receiver. Switzerland was contacted by the UN to clarify the matter, it said. The Swiss manufacturer in question told SECO that their devices had been sold to a Taiwanese intermediary and were probably exported to North Korea afterwards.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Korean peninsula’s ‘only impartial body’ watches and waits
This content was published on
The Swiss military contingent on the tense border between North and South Korea is part of a neutral force in a conflict that is far from over.
This content was published on
Why Switzerland is one of the few countries providing aid to North Korea despite Pyongyang's nuclear tests and missile launches.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.