North Ministry of Defense: "No Past or Planned Exports of Weapons and Ammunition to Russia"

"US, Absurdly Accusing Us... Stay Silent"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] North Korea strongly denied on the 22nd the U.S. intelligence report revealing that it sold weapons and ammunition related to the Ukraine war to Russia, stating, "We have never exported such items and have no plans to do so in the future."

In a statement released to the Korean Central News Agency on the same day, the Deputy Director of the Equipment Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense of North Korea said, "We do not know where the U.S. picked up these baseless rumors about weapons transactions, but their purpose is to tarnish the image of our Republic," asserting this position.

He criticized, "Recently, hostile forces including the U.S. have been spreading 'weapons transaction rumors' between our country and Russia, and are making noise about alleged violations of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions."

He added, "We strongly condemn and sternly warn the U.S. for recklessly spreading anti-Republic slanders to pursue its vile political and military ambitions," and warned, "The U.S. should refrain from making absurd slanders against us and would be better off keeping silent."

He pointed out, "The development, production, and possession of military equipment, as well as import and export activities with other countries, are inherent and legitimate rights of a sovereign state, and no one has the qualification to dispute this."

He also added, "We have never recognized the so-called illegal and illegitimate United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions against the DPRK fabricated by the U.S. and its followers."

The U.S. had previously announced on the 6th (local time) that Russia was pushing to purchase millions of rounds of ammunition, including shells and rockets, from North Korea for use in the Ukraine war.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.