North Korea has reportedly shipped around 7,000 containers filled with munitions and military equipment to Russia since last year to support its war efforts in Ukraine. This revelation was made by South Korea's defense minister at a recent news conference.
Amid escalating tensions, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters, as confirmed by the South Korean and Japanese militaries. The country has been using Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a distraction to intensify its weapons tests and has aligned with Moscow over the conflict.
Allegations have been made by U.S. and South Korean officials that North Korea has been supplying Russia with artillery shells, missiles, and other equipment to aid in the war in Ukraine. This alleged arms transfer accelerated after a summit between Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.
It is believed that North Korea may have received food, economic aid, and military assistance from Russia in exchange for the arms supplies. The South Korean military suspects that North Korea has been using its rail networks to send arms to Russia through their land border.
Recent missile launches by North Korea followed the end of joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S. The North's testing activity is expected to increase before South Korea's parliamentary elections on April 10.
Relations between North and South Korea have deteriorated, with both countries taking steps to breach a 2018 military agreement aimed at reducing border tensions. North Korea has also expressed hostility towards South Korea, with Kim Jong Un vowing to abandon reconciliation efforts.
While most of North Korea's recent missile tests appear to be aimed at enhancing its frontline forces, there are suspicions that some tests may be related to verifying the performance of weapons intended for Russia. North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un congratulated Putin on his reelection as Russia's president and praised a luxury limousine gifted by Putin.
