North Korea ships nearly 2000 containers of weapons to Russia, Reuters reports
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un (Photo: Getty Images)
American intelligence has determined that Russian ships have regularly visited the North Korean port of Rason since August. North Korea sent about 2,000 containers of weapons to Russia, reports Reuters.
The Special Economic Zone in North Korea
"Once a North Korean experiment in limited capitalism, the Rason Special Economic Zone appears to be the epicentre of the isolated country's growing cooperation with Russia, experts say, including possible shipments of arms for the war in Ukraine," the news agency writes.
It is noted that in recent months, there have been clear signs of revitalization in this region. Ships have docked here for the first time since 2018, and satellite images indicate a surge in trade both from the port and the railway line to Russia.
North Korea's economic expert at South Korea's university, Chon In-li, stated that following the initiation of cooperation between North Korea and Russia amidst the conflict in Ukraine, Russia may redirect more tourists to North Korea.
Military supplies to Russia
According to American and South Korean officials, as well as reports from Western researchers referring to satellite images, Russian ships associated with the military logistics system have visited the port of Rason since August.
These ships are suspected of being involved in military supplies from North Korea to Russia. North Korea sent around 2,000 containers from the port of Rason to Russia, presumably carrying artillery shells and possibly short-range missiles.
Since the end of 2022, activity has been observed around the Tumangan station in Rason, which has railway connections to Russia. More wagons were noticed after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang in July.
North Korea-Russia cooperation
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has repeatedly asked North Korea to provide shells. Some time later, North Korea sent over 1 million artillery shells to Russia. The supply started in August of the current year.
It's worth noting that, according to Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, North Korea won't be able to consistently supply Russia in the war against our country.
Matthew Miller, a representative of the State Department, expressed concern over military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
