Ministry of National Defense: "North Korea-Russia Arms Trade Must Be Immediately Halted"

Foreign Media "Signs of North Korea Supplying Weapons to Russia Detected"
Defense Ministry "Report Cites Government Officials"

The Ministry of National Defense immediately called for a halt to what it described as "illegal arms transactions" following foreign media reports that North Korea was detected supplying weapons to Russia.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At a regular briefing on the 31st, Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated, "All arms transactions by North Korea are prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The government is closely monitoring related developments." He added, "Illegal arms transactions with North Korea, which flagrantly violate the Security Council's sanctions resolutions and undermine international peace and stability, must be stopped immediately."

In response to reporters' questions about the reliability of the recent foreign media reports, the spokesperson said, "Some reports today cited government officials saying there is 'plausibility' to the claims."

According to a summary of foreign media reports, the Ukrainian artillery units, like North Korea, use the Soviet-era 'Grad' multiple launch rocket system BM-21 and employ North Korean-made 122mm multiple launch rocket projectiles. The Ukrainian units using North Korean rockets are among the artillery forces supporting attacks against Russian troops from the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut.

The rocket projectile photos released by foreign media show the marking 'Bang-122.' 'Bang' refers to the North Korean term for multiple launch rockets, 'Bangsapo.' The 122mm projectiles are intended for Bangsapo units deployed in frontline forces to strike Seoul and other metropolitan areas. These rockets were also used during the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling provocation.

The biggest drawback of these rockets is their high dud rate. Most North Korean rockets were manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s. Because these munitions are over 30 to 40 years old, there is a high probability that the rockets may explode prematurely before launch. According to foreign media, Ukrainian artillery personnel have blocked reporters' access, citing the very high dud rate of these weapons.

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