North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s influential sister dismissed claims of military collaboration between Russia and North Korea on Friday, emphasizing that her country’s weapons are not available for sale to other nations, including Russia according to Yonhap News Agency. She stated that the weapons are solely for defense against South Korea.
Additionally, on Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on three Russian entities and two individuals for their role in transferring military equipment and components between Pyongyang and Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Kim Yo-jong’s remarks coincide with US assertions that North Korea has provided weapons to Russia to aid the latter’s conflict in Ukraine.
“We have no intention to export our military technical capabilities to any country or open them to the public,” Kim said, adding that such allegations are “the most absurd paradox”, reported Yonhap News Agency citing, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim stated that North Korea’s tactical weaponry, such as multiple rocket launchers and missiles, serve as a deterrent against South Korea’s provocative actions, likely referring to the South Korea-US joint military exercises. Furthermore, North Korea has consistently criticized these military drills by the allies, alleging they are preparations for an invasion, while Seoul and Washington have consistently refuted these claims, asserting that their exercises are defensive in nature.
“What is most urgent for us is not to ‘advertise’ or ‘export’ something but to make the war readiness and war deterrent of our army more perfect in quality and quantity and to make the enemy unable to overcome the inferiority in military capability,” she said.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s unification ministry remarked that North Korea’s denial of supplying weapons to Russia, despite substantial evidence, indicates the regime’s acknowledgment of the illegality of such activities.
“We must once again emphasize that the arms trade between Russia and North Korea is an illegal act that violates the UN Security Council resolutions and undermines international norms,” said Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, during a press briefing.
Alongside the US imposing sanctions on Russian entities, America also asserted that Russia has depended on North Korea to support its conflict in Ukraine. The US further stated that the partnership between the two nations poses a significant threat to global security and the international non-proliferation regime.
“The United States will continue to take action to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate the shipment of weapons and other material to enable Russia’s war,” Under Secretary of the US Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.
As per the statement from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), at a juncture when the United States and its allies are growingly apprehensive about Russia’s strengthening connections with North Korea, as well as China. The department noted that over the past year, Russia and North Korea have intensified their military collaboration, with Pyongyang supplying ballistic missiles and munitions to Russian forces for use in attacking Ukraine. Additionally, it indicated that North Korea is seeking military support from Russia in exchange.
The United States pledged to persist in taking all essential measures to counter the “destabilizing” partnership between Russia and North Korea, while urging other nations to align with Washington’s endeavors.
In a recent development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted inspections at weapons development sites, refraining from issuing any aggressive messages towards Seoul. This has led to speculation that North Korea may be increasing arms production for export to Russia.
On May 10, he oversaw the testing of controllable shells for the “the technically updated version” of the 240mm multiple rocket launcher system, believed to be intended for the broader capital area of South Korea.
