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North Korea’s Arms Exports to Russia Total $5.5 Billion, Accounting for Almost a Quarter of GDP

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Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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North Korea’s Arms Exports to Russia Total $5.5 Billion, Accounting for Almost a Quarter of GDP
Putin and Kim Jong Un portraits with banners “Long live the undefeated friendship and unity of DPRK-Russia!” and “We warmly welcome Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the President of the Russian Federation”, in the Pyongyang. (Source: Getty Images)

North Korea’s arms exports to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine could amount to $5.5 billion, shows a study released by Germany’s Friedrich-Naumann Foundation, which is affiliated with Germany’s Free Democratic Party led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner on October 28.

The report anticipates that North Korea’s weapons trade with Russia may increase by hundreds of millions of dollars, with additional funds potentially supporting North Korean troops deployed in Ukraine.

For the analysis, researcher Olena Huseynova from Hankuk University in Seoul reviewed intelligence reports, leaked documents, and previous transaction prices from North Korean arms deals.

Based on these data points, she estimated that North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia worth between $1.7 billion and $5.5 billion since February 2022.

The report notes that North Korea does not release information about its arms exports, making precise figures hard to determine.

However, South Korean intelligence reports, based in part on satellite images tracking shipments between North Korea and Russia, indicate that North Korean support has primarily included artillery shells and short-range missiles for Russian forces.

“Russia and North Korea are working to destabilize the global order,” said Frederic Spohr, head of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation’s Korea office.

“The war in Ukraine worsened the security landscape in East Asia,” added Spohr.

According to the Bank of Korea, North Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year was estimated at $23.7 billion, suggesting that exports of $5.5 billion would represent nearly 25% of the country’s total GDP.

Earlier, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation reported that 70% of Russia’s ammunition is supplied by the North Korea and Iran.

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