Mongolian general under investigation in attempted sale of fighters to North Korea
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Mongolia's anti-corruption agency is investigating the recently resigned commander of the Mongolian air force for attempting to sell engines and other parts of old Russian-made jet fighters to North Korea.
Investigators this week confirmed the probe into Brigadier General Tojoon Dashdeleg. The deal to sell salvaged parts from about 20 disused MiG-21s dates from 2011. Investigators say they started looking into it after a North Korean envoy complained to Mongolian officials in November that Pyongyang had paid $1.5 million but never received the parts.
E. Amarbat of the anti-corruption agency says the general and two business partners have returned half the money but they still face harsh punishment.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The disputed deal highlights landlocked, democratic Mongolia's role as one of totalitarian, isolated North Korea's few conduits to the outside world.