WSJ: "North Korea Fully Operates 200 Weapon Factories to Export to Russia"

Analysis of Satellite Images... Factory Expansion Visible
Concerns Over Technology Transfer Including ICBMs

Recent satellite image analysis has confirmed that North Korea has increased its supply of ammunition and other weapons to Russia, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 23rd (local time). North Korea is operating about 200 weapons factories at full capacity to export weapons to Russia, receiving cash, oil, and technology in return, thereby strengthening military cooperation.

According to the report, about one-third of the ballistic missiles Russia has launched toward Ukraine this year are North Korean missiles. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the "Disinformation Response Center" under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, stated that 60% of the artillery and mortar shells used by Russia in the Ukraine war come from North Korea, adding, "North Korean ammunition is sustaining Russia's defense."

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea (left), and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Photo by Yonhap News

According to U.S. and South Korean officials, North Korea is estimated to have sent about 20,000 ammunition containers to Russia. These range from low-quality ammunition such as 122mm and 152mm shells to North Korea's representative short-range ballistic missile, the Hwasong-11 class.

Ukrainian officials have stated that over 5 million shells, dozens of missiles, and more than 100 Hwasong-11 class missiles have been shipped from North Korea to Russia.

Recently, North Korea has also been confirmed to have sent 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm long-range multiple rocket launchers to Russia. The first shells supplied by North Korea to Russia were decades-old stockpiles, raising suspicions that North Korea was offloading old weapons to Russia. However, WSJ reported that recently, new weapons have been sent to Russia. For example, the recently delivered 240mm long-range multiple rocket launcher is equipped with a new guidance and control system.

According to satellite imagery company SI Analytics, North Korea's 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25) was upgraded earlier this year with support from Russia.

North Korea is not only operating existing factories at maximum capacity but also expanding production facilities. The Hwasong-11 missiles are produced at a factory on the east coast, where construction of new buildings, apparently to conceal loading operations, is progressing rapidly, SI Analytics reported. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has visited this factory several times and ordered mass production of tactical missiles.

Damian Splettstoesser, head of the Conflict Armament Research Institute, said, "North Korean factories can produce new Hwasong missiles in just a few months," adding, "They are being made according to demand."

At the Defense Industry Expo held last month, North Korea showcased eight types of drones. Some defense experts pointed out that as Russian drone stocks have sharply declined, North Korea appears to be upgrading Russian drones for export.

Export cargo volume has also increased. A Russian Telegram channel posted videos showing North Korean howitzers being transported via Russian railway freight cars. Since the North Korea-Russia summit in September last year, the number of railway cars between the two countries has tripled, and railway traffic in the border region between Russia and North Korea has reached an all-time high this year.

In return for providing weapons, North Korea is receiving various forms of support from Russia. There are concerns that Russia could also provide North Korea with intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology. Russia has already transferred air defense systems to North Korea and dispatched technicians to support the development of reconnaissance satellites.

According to the Open Source Center, North Korea has imported more than 1 million barrels of oil since March this year, which is twice the annual quota under United Nations sanctions.

WSJ cited a report written by Oleana Guseinova, a researcher at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, in October, stating that since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, North Korea's earnings from exporting weapons to Russia could reach up to $5.5 billion. According to the report, the amount Russia has paid North Korea for dispatching troops is estimated at up to $572 million. This is more than double the previous highest annual trade volume between North Korea and Russia, which was $233 million in 2005.

WSJ reported that as North Korea and Russia strengthen their military alliance, the United States and its allies have expressed concern, as the two countries are becoming more threatening and harder to deter to neighboring nations.