Since September 2023, North Korea has sent some 6,700 containers carrying millions of rounds of ammunition to Russia in exchange for food as well as weapon parts and raw materials. On February 26, 2024, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik told reporters that the containers could be carrying more than three million 152mm artillery shells or 500,000 122mm shells, but did not reveal the source of the information. He noted that North Korea’s hundreds of munitions factories were operating at about 30% of capacity due to a lack of raw materials and electricity, while those producing artillery shells for Russia were operating at “full capacity”.[1]
In exchange for the munitions, Russia provided North Korea with food, raw materials and parts used in weapons production. “It seems that the largest share of the shipments is food. Other necessities are also included,” Shin said.[2]
Relations between Russia and North Korea have developed further in recent years. In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and held talks on military cooperation and possible Russian assistance. South Korea and the United States (US) have strongly condemned Pyongyang, saying that North Korea and Russia are trading arms in violation of United Nations (UN) sanctions and that North Korea is providing weapons for use against Ukraine. However, both countries have denied the accusations.[3]
Shin noted that Russia is likely providing North Korea with satellite-related technology and that the country put its first spy satellite into orbit in November. The minister said North Korea could launch another satellite as early as next month and that Pyongyang has also asked for help with aircraft and ground mobility equipment technology. “It is unclear how much Russia will give, but the more Russia is dependent on North Korean artillery shells, the greater the degree of Russian technology transfer.” Shin said.[4]
According to the West’s view, Moscow could help Pyongyang develop a nuclear-capable missile program that could threaten not only its East Asian neighbors but also the United States, possibly with intercontinental ballistic missiles. Indeed, day by day, Kim is taking an increasingly hard line against South Korea, saying that Pyongyang will no longer seek reconciliation and unification with Seoul. It is also known that in response to US retaliatory moves, Kim has instructed the military and civilian defense sectors to accelerate war preparations.[5]
This information provides important clues to understand North Korea’s international relations and strategic moves. First, North Korea’s arms trade with Russia appears to be part of a strategy to reduce North Korea’s international isolation. This type of trade can be considered as a method used by North Korea to increase its economic resources and strengthen its defense capacity.
In particular, Russia’s provision of food and other basic necessities to North Korea appears to play an important role in maintaining internal stability in Pyongyang. This may highlight the North Korean leadership’s strategy of using foreign aid to ensure the welfare of the population and prevent anti-regime discontent.
On the other hand, Russia’s supply of arms and technology to North Korea could have a potential impact on the regional balance. It can be argued that this trade, together with North Korea’s military buildup, could shift the balance of power in the region and lead to security concerns.
It also shows how the international community is reacting to North Korea’s alarming activities, such as its nuclear weapons program. Russia’s provision of weapons and technology to North Korea could be a factor that could threaten regional stability and international security, and therefore how the international community responds to such activities could be a significant consideration for both regional and global security.
In this context, key actors of the Western order, such as the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), are known to have serious concerns about North Korea. The threat posed by Pyongyang could have major consequences not only for the Asia-Pacific, but also for the entire world. North Korea’s isolation from the global system also plays a role in this. This isolation may lead Pyongyang to make greater military moves.
In conclusion, these developments and explanations can contribute to efforts to understand North Korea’s foreign policy and assess the implications of these strategies on regional and global security. The consequences of such trade and the response of the international community could shape regional dynamics and the future of the international system.
[1] “North Korean Factories Making Arms for Russia are ‘Operating at Full Capacity,’ South Korea Says”, Cable News Network, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/28/asia/north-korea-munitions-factories-shipments-russia-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Accession: 02.03.2024).
[2] “North Korea Sent Russia Millions of Munitions in Exchange for Food: South Korea”, Wio News, https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-sent-millions-of-munitions-to-russia-in-exchange-for-food-south-korea-694948, (Date of Accession: 02.03.2024).
[3] “North Korea has Sent 6,700 Containers of Munitions to Russia, South Korea Says”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/north-korea-has-sent-6700-containers-munitions-russia-south-korea-says-2024-02-27/, (Date of Accession: 02.03.2024).
[4] “North Korea Sent Russia Millions of Munitions in Exchange for Food: Seoul”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/28/n-korea-sent-russia-millions-of-munitions-in-exchange-for-food-says-seoul, (Date of Accession: 02.03.2024).
[5] “Russia’s Putin to Visit North Korea Soon, State Media Says”, Cable News Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/22/asia/putin-to-visit-north-korea-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Accession: 02.03.2024).
