Author: admin-to-del

Nine bodies have been exhumed from fresh graves suspected to be linked to Kenya’s notorious starvation cult.

In one of the worst ever cases of cult-related mass deaths, more than 400 bodies were found in 2023 in the remote Shakahola Forest, inland from the coastal town of Malindi.

It is believed they were followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is alleged to have encouraged them to starve themselves to death.

These exhumations were ordered in July after the disappearance of some children triggered a new probe. Prosecutors said 11 people had been arrested in connection with the case, including three who were followers of Mr Mackenzie at the time of “Shakahola Forest Massacre”.

The latest discoveries seem to confirm fears raised by the government earlier in the year that the cult might still be active.

In April, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said there were allegations that Mr Mackenzie was actively communicating with his followers from jail – using a mobile phone.

Mr Mackenzie, who was arrested last year and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, allegedly told his followers they would get to heaven more quickly if they stopped eating.

According to the AFP news agency, a Mombasa court adjourned his ongoing case earlier this month citing the discovery of new evidence.

Five bodies were found at the exhumation site in Kwa Binzaro village near Shakahola Forest on Thursday and a further four bodies on Friday.

“We have not exhausted the search; the area is very, very vast. So we expect more bodies,” government pathologist Richard Njoroge told the Reuters news agency on Thursday.

“This is to appeal to the members of the public who may have lost their loved ones or who may suspect that their loved ones are missing to report to Malindi District Hospital. We have a Red Cross desk there, where their details will be taken, and also their DNA samples will be taken.”

The exhumation of 18 more gravesites is expected to continue on Monday.

In July, Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it believed those buried might have been “starved and suffocated as a result of adopting and promoting extreme religious ideologies”.

Hussein Khalid, a human rights activist and CEO of Vocal Africa, witnessed the exhumations on Thursday.

“The first body which was found by itself appeared to have been put there fairly recently – two to three weeks back. But the other four appear to have been there a while and were in a decomposing state,” he told the BBC.

He said the situation at one of the gravesites hinted at foul play.

“No remains were found but it appeared as if days ago, someone, some people or some group must have removed the corpse that was there,” Mr Khalid said, adding that only pieces of children’s and women’s underwear had been left behind.

“That sent a chilling message that it is possible the person or persons who were buried there were women and children.”

Nine bodies have been exhumed from fresh graves suspected to be linked to Kenya’s notorious starvation cult.

In one of the worst ever cases of cult-related mass deaths, more than 400 bodies were found in 2023 in the remote Shakahola Forest, inland from the coastal town of Malindi.

It is believed they were followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is alleged to have encouraged them to starve themselves to death.

These exhumations were ordered in July after the disappearance of some children triggered a new probe. Prosecutors said 11 people had been arrested in connection with the case, including three who were followers of Mr Mackenzie at the time of “Shakahola Forest Massacre”.

The latest discoveries seem to confirm fears raised by the government earlier in the year that the cult might still be active.

In April, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said there were allegations that Mr Mackenzie was actively communicating with his followers from jail – using a mobile phone.

Mr Mackenzie, who was arrested last year and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, allegedly told his followers they would get to heaven more quickly if they stopped eating.

According to the AFP news agency, a Mombasa court adjourned his ongoing case earlier this month citing the discovery of new evidence.

Five bodies were found at the exhumation site in Kwa Binzaro village near Shakahola Forest on Thursday and a further four bodies on Friday.

“We have not exhausted the search; the area is very, very vast. So we expect more bodies,” government pathologist Richard Njoroge told the Reuters news agency on Thursday.

“This is to appeal to the members of the public who may have lost their loved ones or who may suspect that their loved ones are missing to report to Malindi District Hospital. We have a Red Cross desk there, where their details will be taken, and also their DNA samples will be taken.”

The exhumation of 18 more gravesites is expected to continue on Monday.

In July, Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it believed those buried might have been “starved and suffocated as a result of adopting and promoting extreme religious ideologies”.

Hussein Khalid, a human rights activist and CEO of Vocal Africa, witnessed the exhumations on Thursday.

“The first body which was found by itself appeared to have been put there fairly recently – two to three weeks back. But the other four appear to have been there a while and were in a decomposing state,” he told the BBC.

He said the situation at one of the gravesites hinted at foul play.

“No remains were found but it appeared as if days ago, someone, some people or some group must have removed the corpse that was there,” Mr Khalid said, adding that only pieces of children’s and women’s underwear had been left behind.

“That sent a chilling message that it is possible the person or persons who were buried there were women and children.”

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.

Seoul, South Korea
 — 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

Kim made the comments on Thursday at a ceremony in Pyongyang, where he met with commanders of a unit that had fought for Russia in the western Kursk region, according to North Korean state media KCNA. He praised them as “a heroic army,” with state media photos showing Kim pinning commendation badges on soldiers’ uniforms.

Photos released by KCNA also showed Kim pinning badges on the photo frames of deceased soldiers, which lined the wall, with each soldier’s name written in gold beneath their image.

“My heart aches and is bitter as I face the reality that I only get to meet the noble figures who gave up their precious lives for great victory and glory through photos on the memorial wall,” he said in a speech, according to KCNA.

“As I stand in front of the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, I don’t know how to express my regret and apologies for not being able to protect our precious sons.”

The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall. In several images, Kim is seen embracing crying children and embracing soldiers.

Authorities then held a banquet to further celebrate the unit that had returned, KCNA reported.

North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.

Both Russia and North Korea initially refused to confirm any deployments, but have since publicly acknowledged the involvement of Pyongyang’s forces.

Kim and his regime have been tight-lipped about reports that the North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Kursk have suffered heavy losses – making this week’s ceremony a rare admission of how damaging the impact has been.

Ukrainian and US intelligence suggests there are roughly 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, the first of whom were sent in the fall of 2024.

Of that initial deployment, about 4,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded according to Western officials.

While North Korea is one of the most militarized societies on earth – with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17 – its forces have done very little active fighting since the Korean War, where an armistice brought hostilities to a halt in 1953.

Pyongyang’s soldiers lack real-world battle experience and face unfamiliar terrain in a modern war theater. But some analysts have warned against underestimating North Korean troops fighting for Russia, saying they likely come from elite and highly indoctrinated forces.

In interviews with CNN, Ukrainian special operations forces described the brutal and near-suicidal tactics they’ve seen from North Koreans on the battlefield. These include a soldier who detonated a grenade next to his head rather than be captured; and others who removed their helmets and heavy protective body armor to move faster in attacking Ukrainian positions.

Despite heavy losses, North Korea’s cooperation with Russia has continued. Since the war began, Pyongyang has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions or munitions-related material to Russia, and Moscow’s forces have launched North Korea-made missiles at Ukraine, according to US officials.

New intelligence from Ukrainian officials in July suggested North Korea is set to triple the number of its troops in Russia – sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in the coming months.

A Western intelligence official confirmed the estimate, saying they had seen information separate to the Ukrainian assessment that indicated the same numbers.

That has also raised fears among international observers of what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange – such as advanced space or satellite technology, and technology that could boost the country’s nuclear weapons program.