North Korean missile shipments bolster Russian arsenal
North Korea has delivered approximately 20,000 containers to Russia, which, according to data from the South Korean military, could hold up to 9.4 million 152mm calibre missiles, reported Kang Dae-sik, a member of the People Power Party, on Wednesday, citing a Ministry of Defence report from Seoul.
- According to the report, North Korean arms factories supplying weapons to Russia are currently operating at full capacity - warned the parliamentarian.
Although the missile deliveries to Russia have not yet depleted North Korean stockpiles, a further increase in such operations could lead to ammunition shortages for North Korea's own soldiers, affecting military training.
200 factories working for Moscow
The document highlighted that around 200 factories producing ammunition are operating in North Korea, with the most significant ones currently fully committed to producing weapons for Moscow. Monthly production data is limited, however, as these factories are located in underground facilities.
According to the latest information presented by the parliamentary member, North Korea has so far sent about 20,000 containers to Russia through the port of Rason. Military estimates suggest that if these containers were filled with 152mm calibre missiles, Russia could have received approximately 9.4 million missiles.
UN sanctions and their enforcement
The report also highlights issues with enforcing UN Security Council sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. It was discovered that a North Korean ballistic missile launched in January by Russia over Ukraine contained components originating from companies in the USA and Europe.
Since North Korea faces difficulties obtaining semiconductors, whose supplies are banned under the sanctions, the military dismantles components from commercial goods and uses them in its weaponry, the report states.
However, the use of these components results in low precision and high unreliability of the weapons reaching Russian forces in Ukraine.
