Russia Delivered Air-Defense Missiles to North Korea in Exchange for Troops
World
The Kremlin has provided military technology, including air-defense missiles, to North Korea in exchange for the deployment of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to support its war in Ukraine, South Korean intelligence officials have reported.
In a television interview on Friday, South Korea’s national security adviser, Shin Won-sik, stated that the Kremlin had started fulfilling its commitment to provide military technology and aid to North Korea as "payment" for sending over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to Ukraine.
"It has been confirmed that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at strengthening North Korea’s vulnerable air-defense system have been delivered," said Shin, who serves as the national security adviser to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, during an SBS broadcast.
Shin did not elaborate on how intelligence officials confirmed the transfer of Russian military assistance to North Korea, and both North Korea and the Kremlin have remained silent on these claims.
According to Shin, North Korea has also received "various forms of economic assistance" and may have obtained Russian technology for its troubled spy satellite program.
North Korea claimed to have launched its first spy satellite into orbit in November last year after two failed attempts. However, experts doubt the satellite can provide the country with usable military intelligence. Another satellite launch in May also ended in failure.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual aid agreement during their meeting in Pyongyang. The agreement obligates both countries to provide immediate military assistance in the event of an attack on either side.
Additionally, the leaders are believed to have agreed to cooperate in opposing Western sanctions targeting Russia and North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
"It has been confirmed that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at strengthening North Korea’s vulnerable air-defense system have been delivered," said Shin, who serves as the national security adviser to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, during an SBS broadcast.
Shin did not elaborate on how intelligence officials confirmed the transfer of Russian military assistance to North Korea, and both North Korea and the Kremlin have remained silent on these claims.
According to Shin, North Korea has also received "various forms of economic assistance" and may have obtained Russian technology for its troubled spy satellite program.
North Korea claimed to have launched its first spy satellite into orbit in November last year after two failed attempts. However, experts doubt the satellite can provide the country with usable military intelligence. Another satellite launch in May also ended in failure.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual aid agreement during their meeting in Pyongyang. The agreement obligates both countries to provide immediate military assistance in the event of an attack on either side.
Additionally, the leaders are believed to have agreed to cooperate in opposing Western sanctions targeting Russia and North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
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