Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense estimates that North Korea has provided Russia with over 200 long-range artillery pieces, with the potential for further military assistance in the form of manpower, weapons, and ammunition, according to a report released on February 11th.
The assessment, submitted to the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, suggests a deepening military cooperation between the two nations. The report indicates that North Korea has already dispatched over 11,000 personnel to Russia, in addition to the artillery shipments.
This revelation builds upon previous statements made by National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik in November of last year, who initially indicated that North Korea had supplied Russia with over 160 long-range artillery pieces. The updated figures suggest a continued and potentially escalating flow of military aid.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense is closely monitoring the situation, expressing concern that North Korea may be leveraging its support for Russia to acquire advanced military technologies in return. This exchange could significantly bolster North Korea’s military capabilities, particularly in the areas of nuclear weapons, missile technology, and the modernization of conventional weaponry.
This year marks the final year of North Korea’s five-year national defense development plan, the report stated. It is anticipated that North Korea will leverage Russian support to enhance its nuclear and missile technology, as well as modernize its conventional weapons systems.
The potential for North Korea to gain access to sophisticated Russian military technology in exchange for its support raises serious concerns about regional stability and the global non-proliferation regime. The international community will be closely watching developments as this relationship continues to evolve.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2025, February 11). 韩国防部：朝鲜向俄援助超200门远程火炮 [South Korean Ministry of National Defense: North Korea Provides Russia with Over 200 Long-Range Artillery Pieces]. Retrieved from [Insert Original Article URL Here – Since I don’t have the actual URL, I am leaving a placeholder. In a real article, this would be the actual URL.]
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