Russia has provided North Korea with oil, anti-aircraft missiles, and economic support in return for sending troops to aid Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine, according to government officials and a research group.
The U.S. and South Korea have accused North Korea of deploying more than 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine. Experts suggest that Kim Jong Un’s regime is seeking advanced military technology and battle experience for its forces as part of the deal.
South Korea’s top security advisor, Shin Won-sik, revealed that North Korea received equipment, including anti-aircraft missiles, to bolster its air defense capabilities. He also mentioned that North Korea had been given “various forms of economic support” in exchange for its military assistance.
The non-profit research group Open Source Centre reported that North Korea had been receiving oil shipments from Russia. Satellite images showed over a dozen North Korean oil tankers making 43 trips to Russian ports in the past eight months. Reports indicated that the oil shipments were a form of payment for the weapons and military support sent to Russia.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty that commits both nations to providing military assistance and cooperating internationally to challenge Western sanctions. This deal is seen by experts as a way for North Korea to realign its foreign policy by positioning itself as a significant player in Russia’s war economy. North Korea could also benefit from access to Russia’s natural resources, such as oil and gas, bypassing its reliance on China.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently visited Moscow, expressing strong support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, calling it a “sacred struggle.” She reaffirmed Pyongyang’s commitment to stand by Moscow until victory is achieved.
Both North Korea and Russia face international sanctions Pyongyang due to its nuclear weapons program and Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. While Russia has avoided directly addressing the presence of North Korean troops, North Korea has confirmed that any such deployment would be in accordance with international law, although it stopped short of officially confirming the troop dispatch.
This development has also prompted a shift in South Korea’s stance. Though the country has traditionally resisted sending lethal aid to Ukraine, recent actions indicate a potential change in its policy.
