N. Korea orders major military aid package to Russia
North Korea has intensified its military cooperation with Russia through new orders detailing specific commitments of weapons, troops, and technological collaboration, Daily NK has learned.
A source in the North Korean military told Daily NK recently that the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Military Commission issued detailed orders to multiple military organizations on Feb. 2. The directives, finalized the previous day, went to the Defense Ministry’s General Bureau of Equipment, the WPK Munitions Industry Department, the Second Economic Committee, the Missile General Bureau, and the Combat Training Bureau of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) General Staff Department.
These organizations have begun implementing the orders, which outline specific roles for each body. “The Defense Ministry’s General Bureau of Equipment and Second Economic Committee will handle shell production and export, while the Missile General Bureau and Munitions Industry Department’s technology division will manage military technology cooperation,” the source explained. “The Combat Training Bureau of the KPA General Staff Department is responsible for troop preparation.”
According to the source, the Defense Ministry and Second Economic Committee are working to deliver hundreds of thousands of 152mm and 122mm shells to Russia before March ends. The shipment will also include hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles, including tactical guided missiles (KN-23) and super-large multiple rocket launchers (K-24).
The orders also prioritize swift military technology cooperation. North Korea dispatched a defense technology delegation to Russia on Feb. 4, and technical discussions are reportedly underway. “Russia is expected to provide crucial technology for precision missile guidance, aircraft assembly, and radar systems in February and March,” the source said. “If Russia delivers on our February 2024 request for air force enhancement technology, we plan to complete an aircraft assembly line by year’s end.”
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), told Daily NK that the possibility of additional troop deployments signals a deeper shift in North Korea-Russia relations. “North Korea has been providing weapons to Russia, but if this expands to include tactical weapons, super-large rocket launchers, and artillery personnel, their relationship would effectively become a military alliance,” Hong said.
He added that as the Ukraine conflict continues, North Korea appears to be leveraging its military intervention to gain strategic advantages in future U.S. negotiations. “Given the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach, a quick ceasefire seems unlikely, with talks potentially lasting months or even years. North Korea will likely try to strengthen its negotiating position through increased military cooperation with Russia.
“Similar to Iran’s acquisition of Russian military technology while supporting their Ukraine campaign, North Korea aims to secure tactical weapons and missile technology,” Hong explained. “Their long-term strategy includes enhancing military capabilities through combat experience gained from additional troop deployments.”
DAILY NK
