South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that North Korea exported over 1 million artillery shells to Russia since early August, raising concerns about the role these shells may play in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
These shells were reportedly delivered in ten separate shipments, both by air and sea and are intended to support Russian military operations in Ukraine, as per CNN.
North Korea's Controversial Arms Shipment to Russia
In return, it is believed that Russia is providing North Korea with technology and expertise to assist the country in its efforts to launch a satellite. According to South Korean lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum, North Korea has sent around ten arms shipments to Russia through various means, including air and naval shipments.
These shells were primarily transported by sea, originating from the North Korean port of Najin and reaching Russian ports like Dunai and Vostochny. From there, they were transported by train to Ukraine, where they were presumed to be used in the conflict.
It is estimated that the artillery shell deliveries will provide Russian forces in Ukraine with ammunition for two months. This development comes at a time when Western countries, including the United States, South Korea, and Japan, have strongly condemned North Korea's supply of arms and military equipment to Russia.
Moreover, Russia is suspected of providing technical support to North Korea for its satellite launch program, further complicating the situation. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September, and the two leaders toured Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome, a key satellite launch center.
During their meeting, President Putin expressed Russia's willingness to assist North Korea in building satellites. It was widely speculated that Russia's support for North Korea's space program might be part of an exchange for conventional weapons.
The assistance provided by Russia has improved North Korea's chances of successfully launching a satellite, something the country has attempted with limited success, according to Aljazeera.
Arms Trade Raises Global Security Concerns
North Korea's satellite program has been hampered by a lack of financial resources and technical expertise, particularly in the technology required for the atmospheric re-entry of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) warheads. This latest revelation also suggests that North Korea seeks to acquire Russian fighter jets and other aircraft through this exchange.
The cooperation between the two countries, while denied by both North Korea and the Kremlin, raises concerns about the potential impact of these transactions on regional and global security. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, visited Pyongyang to pledge the Kremlin's "complete support" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
In September, Kim traveled to Russia to meet with Putin and explore a cosmodrome launch site. Despite Russia's recent setback in a lunar mission, the country's reputation as a space pioneer remains intact.
The arms trade between North Korea and Russia, coupled with Russia's growing role in the conflict in Ukraine, has the potential to impact the ongoing war significantly. Ukraine, reliant on Western supplies for its artillery and vehicle needs, is concerned that the current Gaza-Israel conflict may divert funding and attention away from its 20-month-long war against Russia.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan issued a joint statement condemning North Korea's supply of munitions and military equipment to Russia, expressing their concerns about the human toll of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
However, Russia has denied these claims, and the situation continues to evolve, with the international community closely monitoring the developments in the region, The Telegraph reported.
