Denied 'Arms Sales'... Russia "Thanks for Support from Buk"?

Ludenko Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
"Firmly support North Korea on the diplomatic stage"

Russian reservists are receiving training at the Rostov-on-Don training ground in southern Russia. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Although there have been allegations that North Korea sold weapons to Russia, which invaded Ukraine, both countries have denied this, while a Russian diplomatic official expressed gratitude for North Korea's support.

Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said in an interview with TASS on the 3rd (local time), "We express our gratitude to North Korea for supporting Russia's 'special military operation' in Ukraine," adding, "We will consider this in promoting the comprehensive development of relations with North Korea." The term "special military operation" has been used to refer to the military actions Russia has conducted since invading Ukraine in February last year.

Deputy Minister Rudenko explained, "North Korea was one of the countries that firmly supported Russia's decision to conduct the special military operation in Ukraine and the decision to annex four occupied territories, including Donetsk, as Russian territory, including on the UN stage." He added, "The two countries have taken similar approaches to urgent international issues and have shown a high level of political dialogue and mutual understanding," further stating, "These points create good conditions to develop the traditional friendship and cooperative relationship presented at the 2019 Vladivostok summit more comprehensively."

Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence agencies claim to have detected evidence that North Korea sold weapons to the Russian private military company Wagner Group, which is involved in the Ukraine war. Last month, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), stated in a briefing, "North Korea delivered infantry rockets and missiles to Russia last month for use by the Wagner Group," and "North Korea has completed the first delivery of weapons to the Wagner Group."

However, in response to this U.S. announcement, North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denied the arms trade allegations, calling them "absurd fabrications." The Russian Embassy in North Korea also stated that the claims were "false from beginning to end."