The DPRK’s military industry is focusing on providing Russia with ammunition
1 November, 2023 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects North Korea's defense facilities. September 2023. Photo credits: dprktoday.com
North Korea has transferred over a million artillery shells to Russia since August. A South Korean MP who attended a closed briefing of the National Intelligence Service reported on this. According to Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the ruling People Power Party who is on a parliamentary intelligence committee, intelligence reported on about 10 shipments of weapons that have been shipped from the DPRK to Russia since August.
The DPRK also sent advisors to Russia on the use of ammunition, which would be enough for about two months of shelling. Intelligence also claims that North Korea's munitions factories are operating at full capacity to meet Russia's needs.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at arms factories in August 2023. North Korea.
Photo credits: North Korean media
"North Korea is running its munitions factories at full capacity to meet the demand for military supplies to Russia and is even mobilizing residents and civilian factories to make ammunition boxes for export," Yoo said, citing an intelligence report. The fact is that Pyongyang has one of the world's largest depots of artillery shells and missiles compatible with Soviet-era weapons used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. These artillery shells include both 152-mm and 122-mm calibers, indicating a significant increase in Russia's military capabilities.
Cooperation
Cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow has intensified as both countries have found themselves in global isolation, and Kim Jong-un and Putin held a summit in Russia in September.
122mm artillery shells of the DPRK, which are supplied to Russia.
October 2023. Photo credits: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
In October, the White House noted that the Kim regime had provided 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition. Putin has committed to helping Kim put a reconnaissance satellite into orbit.
According to South Korea's intelligence agency, North Korea has received technical assistance from Russia that could help it achieve its goal of putting objects into space after two failed satellite launches. According to the US, North Korea could also use the technology to improve its ballistic missiles.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects the DPRK's defense industry. September 2023, North Korea.
Photo credits: dprktoday.com
In early August, the DPRK's top leadership started inspecting weapons and ammunition factories.
It was later reported that Russia was promoting its fighter jets to the DPRK.