Report: N. Korea has sold 540 missiles to Middle East clients

TOKYO — North Korea has sold more than 500 missiles over the last 15 years to such Middle East clients as Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Libya, a South Korean government institute said.

The Korea Institute for Defense Analysis said in a report released on Friday that Pyongyang sold 540 missiles from 1985 to 2000. The institute listed North Korea's clients as Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Libya.

The report, authored by Lee Jae-uk, a senior research fellow, said North Korea supplied mostly Scud-class missiles to the Middle East. The exception was a shipment of 50 No-Dong-1 missiles to Libya, Middle East Newsline reported.

The Scud missiles include C model missiles, with a range of about 500 kilometers. The No-Dong is believed to have a range of about 1,000 kilometers.

The report said North Korea obtained about $2 million per Scud and $7 million for every No-Dong. But the report said that over the last decade North Korea has abandoned sales of entire missile systems and has focused on selling technology and components.