Intelligence collected by South Korea indicates that the North “is producing and delivering self-destructive drones” to Russia, the JCS added. According to him, Pyongyang also supplies Moscow with its 170mm self-propelled guns, the formidable “Koksan” with a range of 40 to 60 km, as well as 240mm multiple rocket launchers.
An increased threat to South Korea
The South Korean military believes North Korea is seeking to modernize its conventional warfare capabilities with Russian assistance, based on its combat experience against Ukrainian forces. “This could lead to an increase in the North's military threat against us,” said the JCS.
Several thousand North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia in recent weeks to support the Russian army, according to Westerners. For its part, the Kremlin has each time evaded questions on the subject, not wanting to confirm this information.
On December 17, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Oleksandr Syrsky, declared that the Russian army was carrying out “intense offensive operations in the Kursk region, actively using units of the North Korean army,” adding that it had already “suffered heavy losses”.
North Korea seeks to modernize its weapons
North Korea has never confirmed or denied the presence of its troops alongside Russia. The two countries have strengthened military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A historic mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, signed in June, entered into force earlier this month. It provides for “immediate military aid” in the event of armed aggression by a third country.
The JCS's latest findings confirm a South Korean intelligence report sent to lawmakers last week that “Russia could offer reciprocal benefits” to North Korea for its military contribution, including “the modernization of its conventional weapons.
South Korea and Ukraine announced in November a strengthening of their security cooperation in response to the “threat” posed by the deployment of North Korean troops, although without specifically mentioning arms deliveries.
South Korea is one of the largest arms manufacturers in the world but, by tradition, refuses to supply weapons to countries actively engaged in war.
