(Seoul) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for his ammunition industry to increase his production of artillery shells, state media reported on Wednesday, while the country continues to provide weapons and troops to support the Russia war against Ukraine.
Posted at 10:32 p.m.
Kim Tong-hyung
Associated Press
The Central North Korean Press Agency (KCNA) said that Kim Jong-un, during recent visits to unrecognized ammunition and machinery factories, had praised the modernization efforts that had allowed the installations to double their annual shell production capacity, according to the agency.
Kim Jong-uni urged workers to further accelerate the production of artillery shells, calling it essential to “strengthen the combat efficiency” of its armed forces. He also called for the development of more sophisticated machines to increase ammunition production.
KCNA did not mention any comments from Kim Jong-Un concerning his support for the invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recent assessments of the South Korean intelligence services suggest that North Korea has sent around 15,000 soldiers to Russia, and that nearly 5,000 of them were killed or injured in combat against Ukrainian forces.
Washington and Seoul have also accused North Korea of providing Russia with various types of military equipment, including artillery, shells and ballistic missiles.
After having denied its involvement in the war for months, North Korea confirmed last month for the first time the sending of combat troops to help Russia reconquer a part of the Koursk region, which fell during a Ukrainian incursion surprised last year.
Moscow also recognized the North Korean involvement, Vladimir Putin having published a statement thanking North Korea for sending troops in support of his forces and promising not to forget their sacrifices.
According to analysts, official recognition by North Korea of its military support for Russia is likely to consolidate a narrower and lasting partnership with Moscow and to obtain larger compensations, including advanced military technologies likely to increase the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear forces.
By formalizing its role as participant in war, North Korea could also position itself to obtain compensation during future negotiations aimed at putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine, according to a recent report from the Institute for the National Security Strategy, a reflection group affiliated with the South Korean intelligence.
During a closed-door meeting with parliamentarians last month, the South Korean national intelligence service also said that North Korea had sent around 15,000 workers to Russia as part of bilateral industrial cooperation programs.
If the value of the North Korean artillery and missiles provided to Russia probably amounts to billions of dollars, nothing indicates for the moment that Russia has paid direct payments in return, said the agency.
On the other hand, Russia would probably have compensated North Korea by providing it with air defense missiles, electronic war material, drones and technologies for the launch of satellite-spy, depending on the evaluation.
