11-1-2024 (SEOUL) North Korea is reportedly intensifying its military collaboration with Russia, considering the dispatch of new tactical guided missiles to Moscow. Simultaneously, there are concerns that North Korea may conduct fresh tests of missiles designed for potential nuclear strikes. South Korea’s Defence Minister, Shin Wonsik, disclosed these developments in an exclusive interview with Yonhap News.
According to Shin, there are indications that North Korea is planning a trial involving the atmospheric re-entry of a warhead, which could potentially be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile targeting the United States mainland. This implies firing a long-range rocket over several thousand kilometres.
The enhanced military cooperation outlined by Shin suggests a new phase of assistance from North Korea to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The collaboration may contribute to sustaining the Kremlin’s relentless bombardment of its neighbouring country.
Shin highlighted that North Korea’s provision of more sophisticated weapons to Russia could be reciprocated with substantial aid, potentially aiding North Korea’s sanctions-hit economy. Additionally, it raises concerns about technology transfers that could heighten the security threat North Korea poses to the US and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan.
“North Korea said it will deploy (close-range ballistic missiles) with front-line troops. Given the recent arms trade, North Korea could sell them to Russia,” Shin stated.
The Defence Minister linked North Korean leader visits to munitions factories, as reported by state media, to the arms trade with Russia. More than a year ago, the US accused North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia compatible with Soviet-era weaponry deployed in Ukraine.
Shin also disclosed that the flow of munitions might have exceeded 2 million rounds, estimating that North Korea provided about 5,000 containers of weapons to Russia by the end of December. Calculations suggest that the value of these shells, if sold at $1,000 each, would be approximately 10% of North Korea’s GDP.
Furthermore, Shin indicated that North Korea is preparing to test a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), potentially happening as early as this month. An IRBM could have a range sufficient to reach all of Japan and US military facilities in Guam.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby expressed concerns about Russia benefiting militarily from the purchase of North Korean ballistic missiles, which have reportedly been used in strikes on Ukraine.
While the Biden administration plans to raise these issues at the United Nations Security Council, it faces challenges in curbing illicit trade between North Korea and Russia. Satellite imagery of North Korea’s Najin port indicates a continuous flow of ships, containers being loaded and unloaded, and rail cars ready for transportation, highlighting ongoing trade activities.
Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, accused the US of spreading “false information” about arms transfers with North Korea during a Security Council meeting. The situation poses complex challenges for international efforts to address the evolving dynamics between North Korea and Russia.
