While the U.S. White House announced that North Korea recently provided Russia with 1,000 containers worth of weapons via cargo ship, a government analysis showed that assuming that all of these containers contained artillery shells, the number would be close to 300,000 rounds.
The Ministry of Defense said in a media response material on the 16th, “The circumstances of weapons transport between Russia and North Korea using sea containers disclosed by the White House are true,” and “Considering the container load, it is a huge quantity equivalent to hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, which Russia needs most.” revealed. Regarding this, a government source estimated, “After converting the load by considering the size of the container shown in the satellite photo, if there were artillery shells inside, the amount would be in the upper 200,000 range.”
It is currently known that Russia is most in need of 152mm and 122mm artillery shells and RPG-7 anti-tank rockets. Accordingly, intelligence authorities believe that there is a high possibility that these artillery shells were loaded in the containers that North Korea sent to Russia. The source emphasized, “Further analysis is needed to determine what weapons are inside the container, but it is certain that weapons are loaded.”
As North Korea’s weapons support to Russia has been confirmed, some are speculating that the possibility that our government will also provide weapons support to Ukraine has increased. Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong said at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit held at the U.S. Embassy in Washington DC on the 15th (local time), “If Russia provides military support to North Korea, I think we will have no choice but to make our own serious and decisive decision.” This hinted at the possibility of a change in government policy.
However, it is reported that there has not yet been a specific change in the mood within the government to withdraw the existing policy of not directly supporting lethal weapons. A senior government official said, “Our government plans to respond first (to North Korea-Russia military cooperation) only by further tightening the sanctions.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.