North Korea's arms shipments to Russia double amid Ukraine war
North Korea has sent over 13,000 containers to Russia, which could hold about 6 million 152mm artillery shells, reported the Yonhap News TV portal on Wednesday. Support for Moscow has been flowing from Pyongyang since mid-2022.
Yonhap News TV cites a report disclosed by Deputy Kang Dae Sik, a member of the National Defense Commission.
The number provided in the Defense Intelligence Agency document represents a twofold increase since February. At that time, South Korea's Minister of Defence, Shin Won Sik, stated that Pyongyang had sent Russia about 6,700 containers, which could translate to around 3 million 152mm artillery shells used in the war with Ukraine.
The South Korean military has been monitoring possible weapons transfers from North Korea to Russia since the full-scale Kremlin invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The report cited by the deputy mentioned that North Korea might have supplied Russia with, among other things, 122mm artillery shells, mobile anti-aircraft missiles, and anti-tank missiles. Their transport occurs through the port in Najin, located at the North Korea-Russia border.
South Korean intelligence assessed aid to Russia
"The war in Ukraine has precipitated a renewed relationship between Russia and North Korea," assessed the South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency.
In mid-June, North Korean and Russian dictators Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin met in Pyongyang, where they signed a new treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership and military cooperation, including mutual assistance in the event of an attack. Leaving Pyongyang, Putin announced that he "does not rule out" sending weapons to North Korea.
Presumably, Russia provides North Korea with technological assistance in missile and espionage programs in exchange for this country's support in arms supply - reported the Defense Intelligence Agency, referring to Kim Jong Un's September visit to the Russian cosmodrome, where he met with Putin.
