North Korea has been largely isolated in the international conjuncture due to its military activities in recent years. This has resulted in North Korea’s name being frequently associated with illicit activities. Allegations that Pyongyang secretly supplied weapons to Moscow for use in the war in Ukraine are among the most controversial activities that North Korea has been implicated in.
Several countries, including Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA), have condemned the alleged ballistic missile transfers between North Korea and Russia, calling them a violation of United Nations (UN) sanctions. In a joint statement, foreign ministers from 47 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Guatemala, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Guatemala, Japan and South Korea, as well as European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, condemned the alleged arms transfers “in the strongest possible terms”, stating that the weapons were being used against Ukraine.[i]
“The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people. It supports Russia’s war of aggression and weakens the global nuclear proliferation regime.” It emphasized that such cooperation would also provide North Korea with technical and military advances.[ii]
US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that Russia is using more North Korean weapons in Ukraine than in the past. He added that the United States and its allies intend to take the matter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The statement said that arms supplies and transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow violate a series of UNSC resolutions that have been in place since 2006. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to answer questions about the alleged arms transfers.[iii]
In 2022, reports emerged that Russia was planning to use weapons from North Korea against Ukraine. In August 2023, US Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Moscow was “evaluating potential deals for significant quantities and types of munitions”.[iv]
Speculation was heightened the following month when the leaders held a summit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important satellite launch center. During this visit, which lasted about five hours, Vladimir Putin took Kim Jong Un on a tour of the facilities and told him that Moscow would help Pyongyang build satellites. Kim, in return, pledged his support to Russia.[v]
Just two months later, North Korea announced the successful launch of its first military spy satellite and said it planned to launch three more in 2024. On January 9, 2024, North Korea’s state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim visited these arms factories and stressed the “strategic importance of the production of large weapons”.[vi]
Indeed, North Korea is producing new and updated versions of weapons and ammunition systems left over from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). However, Pyongyang has a serious capacity to produce both nuclear weapons and Long-Range Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). This makes North Korea attractive for Russia in terms of arms procurement.
In addition to all these, it can be said that Pyongyang and Moscow have a close political relationship. This closeness also strengthens these claims. Both countries are currently close to each other in terms of foreign policy production due to their opposition to the Western-centered system and their marginalization by the international community. The fact that both states are trying to be isolated through sanctions is also an important factor in the formation of this closeness.
It can be said that this situation will lead to increased pressure on both Russia and North Korea. Because North Korea is perceived as an important nuclear threat, especially by the Western states, the sanctions imposed on Russia may become tougher. On the other hand, there has been a discourse that the US has chosen the side of the countries that supported Moscow during this war. Therefore, pressure on North Korea may increase due to developments in Ukraine.
The fact that many countries have come together to condemn the alleged ballistic missile transfers between North Korea and Russia shows that the international community tends to stand together against such activities. Bringing these allegations to the UNSC is important to put international law and security mechanisms in place.
The alleged ballistic missile transfers seriously threaten regional security and stability. This is a cause for concern as the weapons could be used against Ukraine and potentially diverted to other regions. Security experts warn that such arms transfers could contribute to regional conflicts and tensions.
As a result, North Korea’s arms trade with Russia could undermine efforts to maintain nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. The international community is concerned about North Korea’s non-compliance with previous decisions on its nuclear program and its cooperation with Russia in this regard.
[i] “US, Ukraine, Dozens more Condemn Alleged Russia-North Korea Arms Transfers”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/10/us-ukraine-dozens-more-condemn-alleged-russia-north-korea-arms-transfers, (Date Accessed: 10.01.2024).
[ii] “U.S., Partners Condemn Arms Transfers Between North Korea and Russia”, RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/10/us-ukraine-dozens-more-condemn-alleged-russia-north-korea-arms-transfers, (Date Accessed: 10.01.2024).
[iii] Ibıd.
[iv] Ibıd.
[v] Ibıd.
[vi] Ibıd.
