North Korea's covert arms support to Russia escalates amid Ukraine war

Since last year, North Korea has dispatched approximately 7,000 containers filled with artillery ammunition, missile projectiles, and military gear to Russia as support for the country's invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korea's Defence Minister, Shin Won Sik.

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Shin Won Sik mentioned that missile tests carried out by Pyongyang might essentially serve as quality assurance measures prior to the delivery of the missiles.

A press conference on Monday, where the defence minister shared this information, occurred a few hours after further tests were conducted. The North Korean military launched three short-range ballistic missiles toward the waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

- The intended use of the missiles, whether to bolster front-line forces or for export to Russia, is not certain - Shin observed. - However, it's highly likely they were subject to final inspections before being shipped to Russia, he supplemented.

The Minister pointed out that since July 2023, North Korea has shipped at least 7,000 containers to Russia, predominantly containing ammunition. He had estimated this number to be around 6,700 by the end of February. According to Seoul, Pyongyang is increasingly opting for rail transport over sea transport as initially preferred.

In exchange for the armaments, North Korea was expected to receive over 9,000 containers filled with food and other essentials, as well as raw materials and components for weapons manufacturing.

Shin speculated that Russia might be furnishing North Korea with fuel, likely breaching UN Security Council sanctions that stringently restrict the export of crude oil and petroleum products to the nation.

Officials in both Moscow and Pyongyang have refuted any military cooperation between the two countries.

Shin revealed that this month, North Korea is expected to launch another reconnaissance satellite; the one launched into space last year is operating normally but does not serve reconnaissance functions.

Experts emphasize that the tension on the Korean Peninsula is at an all-time high due to a spate of North Korean missile tests that commenced in 2022.