North Korean Military Factory Operating Rate at 100% [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, at Press Corps Meeting
"Containers Sent by Russia Contain Food and Daily Necessities"

The operating rate of North Korea's munitions factories is reported to have rapidly increased. Following the arms export agreement with Russia at the end of July last year and the North Korea-Russia summit in September, North Korea is effectively enjoying a 'Ukraine special.'

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik is giving a briefing on current issues at the National Defense Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 26th, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik stated at a briefing with defense reporters, "Before the North Korea-Russia summit, the operating rate of North Korea's munitions factories was only 30%, but currently some munitions factories are operating at 100% capacity."

Most of the factories with high operating rates appear to be producing 122mm or 152mm artillery shells supplied to Russia. The volume of containers North Korea has sent to Russia has also increased. Our military authorities estimated that a total of about 2,000 containers were sent to Russia through North Korea's Rajin Port in November last year. Assuming these containers were loaded with 122mm rocket artillery shells, it would amount to over 200,000 rounds; if 152mm shells, over 1 million rounds. Recently, the United States estimated that North Korea has sent more than 10,000 containers to Russia from September last year through this year.

Conversely, the number of containers Russia has sent to North Korea is known to be about 30% more than those North Korea sent to Russia. Minister Shin explained, "It is presumed that the containers sent by Russia contain food and daily necessities," adding, "We cannot rule out the possibility of weapon materials or components as well." He further added, "Regarding how much satellite-related technology North Korea has received from Russia, we will be able to assess this during future satellite launches."

North Korea conducted a cruise missile test launch on the 14th of this month, marking the fifth such test this year alone. Minister Shin interpreted this by saying, "It is possible that the test launch was conducted with Russia exports in mind." He also observed, "Since North Korea's naval power cannot match ours, it is also possible that they have been continuously developing maritime weapons."