US: Russia Seeks Additional Ammunition from North Korea in Exchange for Food Supplies

The White House announced on the 30th (local time) that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, is pursuing a plan to secure additional ammunition through providing food and other means to North Korea.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), said during a phone briefing that day, "There is new intelligence indicating that Russia is actively seeking to obtain additional ammunition from North Korea."

Kirby mentioned that Ashot Mkrtchyan, a Slovakian arms dealer who attempted to sell weapons from North Korea to Russia and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, is at the center of this Russian effort. It has been understood that from late last year to early this year, Mkrtchyan planned to sell more than 20 types of North Korean weapons and military supplies to Russia, and in return provide North Korea with various goods including commercial aircraft, raw materials, and commodities.

Kirby predicted, "As part of the deal, Russia would have received more than 24 types of weapons and ammunition from Pyongyang."

Kirby also said, "We are aware that Russia is seeking to dispatch a delegation to North Korea and that Russia is providing food to North Korea in exchange for ammunition."

He stated, "The arms trade between North Korea and Russia is a direct violation of the United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea," adding, "We are paying close attention to North Korea's recent statement that it will neither provide nor sell weapons to Russia and will continue to monitor this closely." Furthermore, he warned, "We will continue to take additional measures against individuals involved in this matter and will keep uncovering Russia's attempts to procure military supplies from North Korea or other countries."

On the same day, when asked whether Mkrtchyan was involved in North Korea's supply of weapons to the Russian private military company Wagner Group, Kirby responded, "I know that he provided Russian officials with a list of items North Korea is interested in securing from Russia, but that is a separate issue." Earlier, the U.S. revealed in December last year that North Korea sold infantry rockets, missiles, and other weapons and ammunition to the Wagner Group.