North Korea’s adamant denial of arms supplies to Russia contrasts starkly with the United States’ imposition of new sanctions, underscoring the deepening rift between Pyongyang and Washington. Despite a plethora of intelligence reports suggesting that North Korea is one of Vladimir Putin’s main arms suppliers for the conflict in Ukraine, Pyongyang has dismissed such claims as “absurd paradox” and “false rumour.”
Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, fiercely refuted allegations of North Korea’s arms exports, asserting that they are designed to mislead public opinion. “The hostile forces are misleading public opinion with a false rumour that the weapon systems produced by the DPRK are ‘for export to Russia’,” Ms Kim stated. This denial came amid statements from the US and South Korean governments pointing to compelling evidence that Russian forces are indeed using North Korean weapons in Ukraine, with analysis of missile debris in Kharkiv indicating North Korean origins.
In response to these allegations, the US Treasury has placed sanctions on three Russian companies and two individuals purportedly “connected to the transfer of military equipment and components” from North Korea. These sanctions follow reports that the Kremlin has used over 40 North Korean ballistic missiles in its attacks in Ukraine, a move that would represent a clear breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The UK government has also taken action by imposing sanctions on companies and individuals involved in the purported arms-for-oil trade between Russia and North Korea. This sanction package targets entities such as the North Korean Paekyangsan Shipping Co. Ltd and the Russian Toplivo Bunkering Company (TBK), among others. The UK’s measures reflect growing international concerns over the breach of UN sanctions aimed at denuclearizing North Korea.
In addition to the sanctions, both the US and South Korea maintain that such “illegal” arms transactions must cease immediately. South Korean defence minister Shin Wonsik has claimed that North Korea shipped approximately 7,000 containers filled with munitions to Russia since the previous year, while Pyongyang purportedly received aid in return. Kim Inae, a South Korean government spokesperson, emphasized readiness to thwart any military threat from North Korea, reinforcing the alliance with the US.
Relevant articles:
– North Korea denies supplying weapons for Russia’s Ukraine war as US imposes new sanctions , Yahoo News UK, 05/21/2024
– UK sanctions companies involved in arms-for-oil trade between Russia and North Korea, JURIST, 05/18/2024
– North Korea leader’s sister denies arms exchange with Russia, KCNA says, Yahoo News UK, 05/20/2024
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