July 14, 2009: Japanese police recently arrested three men and charged them with trying to illegally export ballistic missile guidance system components to Myanmar (Burma). This was apparently done as part of a North Korean contract to transfer ballistic missile technology to Myanmar. The Hong Kong based company that was handling the deal was recently sanctioned by the United States for acting as an agent for illegal North Korean military technology exports.

A North Korean cargo ship, apparently on its way to Myanmar from North Korea, recently turned around and headed back to North Korea. The ship was being shadowed by an American destroyer, and was believed to be carrying assault rifles and other infantry weapons. But the cargo may have included ballistic missile components as well. Apparently the North Koreans did not want to risk having the cargo examined.