South Korean defence chief reveals North Korea's shipment of 7,000 containers of munitions to Russia
- In Reports
- 11:25 AM, Mar 19, 2024
- Myind Staff
South Korea's defence minister has revealed that North Korea has dispatched approximately 7,000 containers loaded with munitions and other military equipment to Russia over the past year. This action is believed to be in support of its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
Shin Won-sik presented the assessment during a news conference shortly after the South Korean and Japanese militaries reported that North Korea had launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters. This action adds to a series of weapons displays amidst escalating tensions with adversaries.
Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has escalated its weapons testing while aligning with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Kim Jong Un seeks to break diplomatic isolation and oppose the United States. US and South Korean officials accuse North Korea of supplying Russia with arms, accelerating after a summit between Kim and Putin in September.
South Korean officials and private experts suggest that North Korea may have received essential food, economic aid, and military assistance aimed at enhancing Kim's forces in exchange. Both Moscow and Pyongyang deny any arms deal between the countries.
Shin stated during a news conference in Seoul that the South Korean military believes North Korea, initially utilising ships, has increasingly employed its rail networks to transport arms supplies to Russia via their land border.
According to Shin, North Korea has allegedly received over 9,000 Russian containers in exchange for potentially millions of artillery shells and other supplies. He expressed suspicions that Russia might be supplying fuel to North Korea, potentially violating U.N. Security Council sanctions.
While past fuel shortages may have led North Korea to reduce winter training activities for its soldiers, Shin stated that South Korea's military believes North Korea expanded such drills in January and February. North Korea conducted its latest missile launches shortly after the conclusion of the recent South Korean-U.S. joint military exercises, which North Korea perceives as invasion rehearsals.
As per Shin, North Korea might intensify its testing activities ahead of South Korea's parliamentary elections on April 10. These elections are seen as a confidence vote for conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has adopted a tougher stance on North Korean nuclear ambitions and threats compared to his liberal predecessor.
Tensions between the two Koreas have escalated recently, with both sides taking measures to violate a 2018 bilateral military agreement aimed at reducing border tensions. In January, Kim announced plans to abandon North Korea's longstanding pursuit of reconciliation and to amend its constitution to designate South Korea as its foremost hostile adversary.
Recent North Korean missile tests primarily focus on strengthening its frontline forces, with some evaluations suggesting tests may aim to verify weapon performance for Russia.
Image source: ABC News
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