Main image: DN Solutions' headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of DN Solutions
South Korean-made CNC (computer numerical control) equipment has been discovered at Russian factories manufacturing Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems, according to The Korea Times. The revelation follows an investigation by Ukraine’s Economic Security Council.
The probe found that CNC machines made in South Korea, as well as equipment from Japan and Taiwan, were routed through China before reaching Russia, where they were used in the production of missiles and drones.
The discovery sparked strong condemnation from Ukrainian officials, who accused South Korean manufacturer DN Solutions of negligence. DN Solutions is one of the world’s leading producers of high-precision CNC machinery.
Ukrainian authorities stressed that the company’s failure to adequately monitor its distribution channels allowed the equipment to end up in Russia, despite international sanctions. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian President’s commissioner for sanctions policy, emphasized that in today’s context, responsibility for compliance lies not only with direct exporters but also with manufacturers. He called for internal audits when equipment repeatedly ends up in sanctioned countries, even through intermediaries.
Vlasiuk noted that while this may not indicate deliberate wrongdoing, the incidents highlight serious gaps in enforcement and export control systems. He urged both an internal investigation by DN Solutions and greater oversight by regulatory bodies.
In response, DN Solutions stated that it complies fully with South Korea’s laws, including its prohibition on unauthorized exports of strategic goods such as CNC machines. The company said it had not shipped products directly to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, but acknowledged that it is nearly impossible to track resales on the secondary market.
Back in June 2022, DN Solutions CEO Kim Won-jong had already stressed the importance of strict export control to avoid risks associated with international sanctions. In light of the current findings, Ukraine has called on the South Korean government to cooperate more closely to prevent such violations from recurring.
