Kim Jong-dae "Russia may supply weapons to North Korea... War situation could change if South Korean shells are brought in"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated in a foreign media interview that South Korea could conditionally allow weapons support to Ukraine, prompting Russia to issue a warning message saying, "South Korea's provision of weapons to Ukraine will be considered an anti-Russian hostile act." Former Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae expressed concerns, saying, "Russia might also support North Korea with weapons."

On the 20th, Kim said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "If a large quantity of South Korean shells are brought into the eastern front of Ukraine, the course of the war will change. This is a serious matter that could put Russia on the defensive."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Kim mentioned that Russia could use weapons and technology support to North Korea as a way to block the import of South Korean shells. He said, "As Putin mentioned last September, 'We (Russia) might support North Korea with weapons or technology,' concretizing such possibilities or providing some energy and food aid to North Korea would be an added bonus."

He added, "Although it is a bit cautious, North Korea lacks some technologies for developing nuclear missiles, and this part might be brought up. For example, ground wind tunnel tests and warhead re-entry technologies."

Kim also said, "Alternatively, Russia could directly send submarines to the East Sea and launch submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) from there, which is a method already used against Japan." He added, "Since June last year, Russian nuclear submarines have appeared off Hokkaido and fired SLBMs, passing through Hokkaido's airspace."

He noted that there could be disadvantages for South Korean companies. He said, "Although the dependence on natural gas is not very high, a very negative impact on Korea-Russia trade relations is expected. Currently, although the volume of Korea-Russia trade is not large, it is a very valuable trade structure for us."

Recently leaked U.S. classified documents contain detailed plans to send 330,000 rounds of South Korean 155mm shells to Germany, and MBC recently reported that our shells were shipped out through Jinhae Port. Kim expressed concern that if the export has taken place, it could lead to a security gap for South Korea. He said, "We mention the threat of North Korea's long-range artillery, and the key weapon to conduct counter-firepower operations against that threat is the 155mm shell. However, these are mainly stored in rear ammunition depots, and the front lines have only enough to last 2 to 3 days in case of war."

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