Russia has reportedly provided North Korea with oil, anti-air missiles, and economic support in exchange for North Korean troops to bolster Moscow's efforts in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This information comes from government officials and a research group, highlighting a deepening alliance between the two nations.
According to reports, over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to support Russia, a move that experts believe is driven by Kim Jong Un's desire to gain advanced military technology and battlefield experience for his forces.
South Korea's top security advisor, Shin Won-sik, confirmed that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles have been delivered to North Korea to strengthen its air defense systems. "It has been identified that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at reinforcing Pyongyang’s vulnerable air defense system have been delivered," Shin stated.
The Open Source Centre, a non-profit research organization, has documented that North Korean oil tankers made 43 trips to a Russian oil terminal over the past eight months, leaving nearly full each time.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted that these oil shipments were part of the payment for the weapons and troops provided by Pyongyang.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty, which obligates both countries to provide military assistance "without delay" if attacked.
Analysts suggest this treaty marks a shift in North Korea's foreign policy, positioning itself as a key player in Russia's war economy and potentially reducing its reliance on China.
Both Russia and North Korea are under extensive UN sanctions—Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine and Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons program.
Despite these sanctions, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui expressed unwavering support for Russia during a recent visit to Moscow, describing the conflict in Ukraine as a "sacred struggle."
This evolving alliance has prompted a change in tone from South Korea, which has historically refrained from supplying lethal aid to Ukraine but now signals a possible policy shift. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, aware of the broader implications of this partnership.
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