Kim Yo-jong "Only One Mission, Seoul"... Denies Arms Export Rumors

'Kim Jong-un's Sister' Kim Yo-jong Denies North Korea-Russia Arms Deal Rumors
"Will Be Used to Prevent Seoul from Making Foolish Plans"
From Missiles to Conventional Weapons... North Korea Focuses on Arms Upgrades

As various speculations arose that North Korea's efforts to upgrade its weapon systems were intended for 'export to Russia,' Kim Yo-jong, the deputy director of the Workers' Party, directly refuted these claims. Kim threatened by mentioning 'Seoul,' stating that these weapons are intended for 'strikes against the South.'

In a statement released on the 17th through the Korean Central News Agency, Deputy Director Kim said, "Regarding the hostile forces spreading rumors that the weapon systems we produce are 'for export to Russia,' I want to address this once and for all," adding, "We have no intention of exporting or disclosing our military technology anywhere." She reiterated the previously raised North Korea-Russia arms trade rumors, calling them "the most absurd fabrications."

Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea

Kim stated, "The tactical weapons such as multiple rocket launchers and missiles that we recently unveiled were created for only one mission," and "We do not hide that they are meant to prevent Seoul from making reckless plans." She further threatened, "As hostile forces openly reveal their sinister political plots against our country, we will correspondingly intensify the necessary activities."

Recently, North Korea has been focusing not only on new strategic weapons but also on upgrading conventional weapons, such as equipping 240mm multiple rocket launchers with guidance (steering) functions. The 240mm multiple rocket launcher is a representative long-range artillery piece that appears when North Korea mentions 'Seoul Firestorm,' with a maximum range of about 65 km. It is a weapon system aimed at the southern capital region, including Seoul, and is reportedly deployed in about 200 units only in North Korea's frontline units.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has recently been engrossed not only in weapon systems but also in upgrading related equipment. Images were released showing him personally driving a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) and test-firing newly developed sniper weapons. On the 14th, he inspected the production status of tactical missile weapon systems, and the weapon revealed at that time was presumed to be the 4-tube short-range ballistic missile (CRBM) 'Hwasong-11Ra,' which North Korea had previously hinted could carry a 'small nuclear warhead.'

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un inspected a new missile weapon system to be equipped at the missile combined unit, according to Korean Central TV.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As Kim Jong-un takes the lead at weapon production sites day after day, analyses suggest that this is not only to meet North Korea's military needs but also a 'defense industry sales' move keeping in mind the possibility of exports to Russia. Particularly, the munitions factories inspected consecutively from the 10th to the 12th were producing conventional weapons such as ammunition and shells. These are considered highly useful weapons for Russia, which needs to secure firepower superiority in the prolonged war with Ukraine.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies pointed out, "Even if the rumors of weapon exports are given weight as fabrications, we cannot overlook the 'arms trade connection' where new weapon technology is provided by Russia and completed weapons are supplied back."

North Korea's trends detected by our intelligence agencies also support these observations. The National Intelligence Service is conducting a detailed analysis after detecting circumstances where North Korean 122mm multiple rocket launchers were included among the weapons Russia used in its attacks on Ukraine. Last year, shell fragments found on the Ukrainian battlefield were identified with Korean characters such as 'Bang-122.' Military authorities also estimate that North Korea supplied large quantities of 122mm and 152mm shells to Russia.

In addition, trends have been detected that North Korea is secretly procuring semiconductor and other components from overseas companies. It is suspected that Russia is disposing of outdated weapons produced in the 1970s on the battlefield and starting to develop new weapons. Intelligence agencies are keeping the possibility open that North Korea's arms supply to Russia could lead to Russia providing advanced military technology support to North Korea, and they continue to track all aspects of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

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