Seoul Says North Korea Supplied Russia With 200 Long-Range Artillery Pieces

2025-02-11 08:12:41

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) North Korea is estimated to have sent about 200 pieces of long-range artillery to Russia and is likely to send more troops and weapons in support of Moscow's war against Ukraine, South Korea's Defense Ministry said.

That's according to the Yonhap news agency, Ukrinform reports.

"(North Korea) has provided some 11,000 troops, missiles, 200 pieces of long-range artillery and a substantial amount of ammunition and there is the possibility of (the North) additionally supplying troops, weapons and ammunition going forward," the ministry said in a briefing to the parliamentary defense committee.

Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have traditionally commented on military aid transfers.

Read also: North Korea using war in Ukraine as testing ground for its own military capabilities - ISW

Additionally, the ministry said North Korea is expected to double down on its weapons development this year, the final year in its five-year plan to develop sophisticated weapons, such as nuclear-powered submarines, spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Regarding North Korea's relations with the United States, the ministry said Pyongyang appears to be seeking to establish favorable circumstances for talks with Washington through a display of tough rhetoric and provocations.

North Korea has not responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's expression of his intent to reengage with leader Kim Jong-un. Instead, it has conducted missile tests and unveiled Kim's visit to a nuclear-material production base, the ministry noted.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, stated on January 23 that North Korea was set to deliver an additional 150 KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia this year.

Kim Jong Un reaffirmed in February that North Korea would continue expanding its nuclear arsenal and supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.

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