According to reports from government officials and research organizations, Russia has been supplying North Korea with oil, anti-aircraft missiles, and financial aid in exchange for military personnel to bolster Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both the United States and South Korea have leveled accusations against the nuclear-capable North for dispatching over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its battle against Ukraine. Analysts suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen on acquiring advanced military technologies and combat experience for his forces in the process.
When asked about what benefits North Korea has garnered in return, top security advisor Shin Won-sik stated, “It has been confirmed that equipment and anti-air missiles have been supplied to bolster Pyongyang’s frail air defense systems.”
In an interview with local news channel SBS, Shin elaborated further, noting that North Korea has received “a variety of economic aid” and highlighted that following a failed satellite launch on May 27, the country has been intensifying its efforts on satellite technologies.
In June, Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized their strategic partnership with a treaty during the latter’s visit to North Korea. This agreement mandates that both nations shall provide military support “without hesitation” if either faces an attack, and they will cooperate on efforts to counteract Western sanctions.
Putin celebrated this treaty, calling it a “landmark document.” Experts believe that North Korea might be leveraging the situation in Ukraine as a pivot point for redefining its foreign policy approach.
By sending troops, North Korea seems to be integrating itself into Russia’s war economy, positioning itself as a supplier of military assistance and manpower—potentially even distancing itself from China, its historical ally and primary trading partner, as said by independent analysts. Additionally, Russia could facilitate North Korea’s access to its extensive natural resources, including oil and gas.
Recently, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui visited Moscow and proclaimed that her nation would “remain steadfast alongside our Russian comrades until victory.” She characterized Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine as a “sacred struggle” and expressed unwavering faith in Putin’s “prudent leadership.”
Both North Korea and Russia find themselves subject to an array of United Nations sanctions: North Korea for its nuclear ambitions, and Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
When questioned publicly about the presence of North Korean troops last month, Putin deftly sidestepped the query, choosing instead to critique the West’s backing of Ukraine. North Korea countered that any troop deployment to Russia would be “consistent with international law,” but they never explicitly confirmed any troop movements.
This troop deployment has prompted a notable shift in South Korea’s stance. Once resistant to the idea of supplying lethal aid to Ukraine, Seoul has recently hinted at a possible pivot in its long-standing policy.
North Korea appears to be flouting UN sanctions once again, reportedly obtaining over 1 million barrels of oil from Russia in just eight months this year, according to a satellite imagery analysis from the UK-based Open Source Centre and the BBC.
North Korean oil tankers have made more than 40 trips to Vostochny, a port in Russia’s Far East, since March, according to the Open Source Centre’s project findings. “A multitude of high-resolution satellite images, alongside AIS (Automatic Identification System) data and images provided by maritime patrols focused on monitoring North Korea’s transgressions against UN sanctions, indicate that North Korean vessels frequently loaded oil at a terminal within the Russian port,” the report explained. Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, declined to comment on these findings.
Images also captured tanker ships leaving almost full after watching empty tanks arrive, with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggesting that this oil serves as compensation for the weapons and personnel North Korea has dispatched to Russia.
Despite ongoing international condemnation, North Korea has persisted in illegally importing refined petroleum products, defiantly violating UN Security Council mandates, the UNSC has reported.
Earlier this year, the U.S. and South Korea set up a specialized task force aimed at curtailing North Korea’s illicit oil acquisition activities, especially as stagnation at the UNSC has raised questions about the efficacy of global sanctions. Under UNSC restrictions set forth to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, Pyongyang is restricted to an annual import of just 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
