DPRK may become hub for Chinese arms supplies to Russia – Defense Express

He expressed his opinion on the Espreso TV channel.

"When we talk about the DPRK Armed Forces, according to Military Balance, this country has more than 21,500 artillery systems of 120-mm and 152-mm caliber. These weapons start with mortars. Indeed, this number of artillery systems is significant, but this figure indicates the amount of ammunition that the DPRK has. Therefore, this is already a threat. After all, these systems and ammunition can be supplied to Russia," Katkov explained.

The expert also noted that China has repeatedly used the DPRK to transfer its weapons to other countries.

"The second threat, in my opinion, is that the DPRK can become a hub for Chinese weapons that will be transferred to Russia. There is no need to run after some conspiracy theories here. In this situation, there is the experience of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when China declared non-interference in this conflict and support for a diplomatic solution, but instead transferred weapons to North Korea. After that, they were not interested in how these weapons were used and to whom they were supplied. Therefore, the situation when China starts using the DPRK as a hub for its weapons is much more threatening than North Korea itself," he added.

More details on cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

Earlier, White House spokesman John Kirby said that talks between Russia and the DPRK on military cooperation were "actively progressing."

In July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the DPRK and met with his North Korean counterpart, among others.

In early August, the White House accused Russia of trying to buy munitions from the DPRK.

Oleksandr Musienko, head of the Center for Military Legal Studies, said that Russia has problems with the military and industrial complex, so Moscow is turning to the DPRK and Iran for help. According to him, Ukraine must be prepared for North Korea to supply weapons to Russia.

On August 31, the United States imposed sanctions on two Russian citizens over the development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles for the DPRK.

On September 4, The New York Times reported, citing US and allied officials, that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russia in September and meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss military cooperation.

On September 11, the North Korean leader had travelled by train to Vladivostok to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin confirmed Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia "in the coming days".

Oleksandr Kraiev, an expert at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, believes that Russia is preparing to receive weapons and ammunition from the DPRK in exchange for food.

On September 13, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had a meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.