North Korea may supply weapons to Russia - military expert Musienko

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"We must be prepared for North Korea to supply weapons to Russia. This is quite likely, because there is an intensification of relations between these countries and the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was not in vain. Of course, there may be some agreements. However, we need to talk about volumes, i.e., how much, what, and in what timeframe the DPRK can supply. North Korea does indeed produce artillery, both cannon and rocket. I do not rule out that the DPRK can supply such weapons to Russia, but time will tell whether or not it will be with the help of China. We are well aware of North Korea's dependence on Beijing's position, because Pyongyang is supported only by Beijing and Moscow," the military expert said.

Musienko added that it is also possible that Ukraine will receive 155 mm shells produced in South Korea, which also has large production facilities, through re-export mechanisms, i.e. not directly.

"We see that today there are two countries that are ready to support Russia militarily - Iran and the DPRK. As for North Korea, there has been different, contradictory information about arms supplies to Russia, but we cannot rule out such assistance, which could have been before and will continue to be now. All of this shows that Russia is really having problems with its military and industrial complex, which is why it is turning to the DPRK and Iran. It is obvious that North Korea has certain resources that were established not without the help of China or even earlier the Soviet Union," Musienko said.

DPRK's cooperation with Russia

Back on July 13, 2022, North Korea recognized the terrorist "DPR" and "LPR" and their independence. Ukraine condemned this decision and announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the country.

Subsequently, Vladimir Putin told the North Korean leader that the two countries "will work together to expand comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations."

Later, the US State Department said that Russia was exploring options for cooperation with the DPRK in the production of key resources for warfare.

In January 2023, the US representative to the UN Security Council noted that Iran and North Korea, which have already transferred weapons and ammunition to Russia for attacks on Ukraine, continue to consider new supplies, despite the Security Council's ban. 

Subsequently, the US did provide evidence of the North Korean regime's arms supplies to the Russian Wagner PMC to the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee.

As early as March, the US did not observe any additional weapons being supplied to the Russian army by North Korea.

But in April, the UK claimed that Russia was violating the UN arms embargo sanctions that it had agreed to in the UN Security Council against North Korea and Iran.

On June 12, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized his desire to strengthen strategic cooperation with Russia and his desire to "build a powerful country and a reliable defense of global peace and security, holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin."

On July 25, it was reported that a delegation of the Russian Defense Ministry, headed by Sergei Shoigu, would visit North Korea on July 25-27 to "strengthen military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang."

On Wednesday, July 26, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met in Pyongyang with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam. During the meeting, they allegedly discussed plans to develop military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK.

On July 27, media reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defense exhibition that featured ballistic missiles banned by a UN Security Council resolution.

On August 6, media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered plants that produce rocket engines, artillery, and other weapons to increase capacity as part of strengthening the country's defense capabilities.