South Korea Reveals North Korea’s Potential 9.4 Million Artillery Shell Shipment to Russia

In the Republic of Korea’s statement at the UN Security Council, several details were shared regarding North Korea’s increasing role in the ongoing war in Ukraine, particularly its military support for Russia.

The UN Security Council High-Level Briefing took place on November 19 ahead of the 1,000-day mark of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

North Korean troops in Russia

The Republic of Korea confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, marking the first time since the Korean War that North Korean forces are engaged in combat. “North Korean troops dispatched to Russia have completed their deployment to the battlefield near the Kursk oblast  and are already engaged in combat operations. This is the first time since the Korean War that North Korea is engaged in actual combat with massive troops, about 11,000 soldiers.”

On arms shipments from North Korea

The Republic of Korea also pointed out that North Korea has provided significant military support to Russia in the form of munitions. “North Korea has shipped about 20,000 containers to Russia since August of last year, enough to carry 9.4 million artillery shells.” These shipments reflect the increased capacity of North Korea’s military factories, which are operating at full capacity to supply Russia with the materials it needs for the war.

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On the Strategic Partnership Agreement

The deployment and military cooperation are backed by the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2023. This agreement ended a 29-year hiatus since Russia renounced its 1961 Mutual Military Assistance Treaty with North Korea. While Russia has stated that this cooperation is not intended to concern third parties, the Republic of Korea emphasized that it affects not only the countries directly involved but also the broader regional security situation.

On North Korea’s military capacity

The Republic of Korea noted that North Korea’s military strength is considerable, with “well over 1 million” troops in total. North Korea operates as a highly militarized state, with mandatory service for men lasting 10 years and for women, 7 years. This large and well-trained military infrastructure could enable North Korea to increase its participation in the war, should it choose to do so.

On the covert nature of North Korean involvement

The involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war is being handled covertly, with reports that the DPRK is issuing “fake IDs” to soldiers and relocating their families to special sites in order to prevent the spread of information. “These soldiers are even being issued fake IDs to disguise themselves as Russians,” the statement noted, suggesting a move towards treating the deployment as more akin to mercenaries than a formal state military action.

On the potential gains for North Korea

The Republic of Korea also speculated on what North Korea might gain from its support of Russia. While the exact terms are unclear, it is likely that North Korea is leveraging its position to obtain “fuel, energy, or high-end military technology for its nuclear and ballistic missile program.”

Recently, Russia has assembled 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, in the Kursk region in preparation for a new offensive. This force is reportedly gearing up for action against areas under Ukrainian control.