Accusing Washington of spreading "groundless" allegations to "tarnish" its reputation, North Korea has refuted American claims that it shipped artillery shells and ammunition to Russia for use in the conflict against Ukraine.
The White House said last week that North Korea may be breaking several UN resolutions by receiving a "significant number" of munitions shipments covertly from Russia.
North Korea Denies Arms Dealings with Russia
Unidentified vice director of the military foreign affairs office of the North Korean ministry was quoted by state media KCNA as stating, "We see such measures of the US as part of its hostile endeavor to damage the image of North Korea in the international arena."
As Western nations imposed sanctions on the Kremlin, North Korea became closer to Moscow, its longtime ally. The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, has publicly praised Russia's attack on Kyiv and stated his desire to send laborers to assist restore the areas of Ukraine that Russia has occupied.
Additionally, it was one of the five nations that voted against a UN resolution last month that criticized Russia for annexed Ukrainian land, according to The Independent.
As the two nations opened their borders for the first time in more than two years, just days after the US accused North Korea of aiding the Kremlin's conflict in Ukraine, Moscow sent a trainload of 30 coveted thoroughbred horses.
This information "indicates that the DPRK is covertly supplying Russia's war in Ukraine with a significant number of artillery shells," National Security Council coordinator John Kirby had told reporters a week before.
The North Koreans tried to conceal these shipments by making them "appear as though they're being sent to countries in the Middle East," Kirby said, as per Washington Examiner.
When questioned if the Russians had in fact received the artillery rounds, Kirby stated that "our suspicions are that the DPRK is secretly supplying and we're going to watch to see whether shipments are received."
Russia-Ukraine War Update
Along with North Korea, Russia has tried to boost its troops with hundreds of Iranian drones that it has used to attack Ukraine's electrical grid, putting millions of people in the dark and having an impact on water supply and water water treatment facilities.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, issued a warning on Sunday, saying that if Russia is successful in acquiring more weapons from Iran, it may resume its regular strikes against Ukraine's electrical infrastructure.
The 'significant' number of shells sent are sufficient to help Russia prolong the conflict, which began with Moscow's invasion of its former Soviet neighbor in February, but not enough to give it an advantage over Ukrainian forces, which are receiving supplies from the US and NATO allies, according to Kirby.
In September, Pyongyang refuted claims made by the White House that it intended to supply ammunition to help the Russian military restock its stockpiles, which have been badly depleted by the conflict, which has now been raging for eight months.
As a result of international sanctions that restrict their ability to restock, Kirby said the shipments were "a sign of Russia's own defense product shortages and needs," which is also why Iran sent drone supplies.
Kirby refused to provide the means of transportation or routes taken by the North Korean munitions. On possible steps, he added, the US will discuss partners and friends including at the UN.
In reaction to last week's US-South Korean war games, Pyongyang on Monday threatened a "resolute and overwhelming" military retaliation. North Korea's most recent warning to the US came only one day after its last denial.
The military of North Korea has revealed that its most recent ballistic missile launches were a response to the so-called 'Vigilant Storm' operation by Seoul and Washington, Daily Mail reported.
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