According to South Korean intelligence, Russia has been providing assistance to North Korea in the construction and launch of its latest spy satellite.
The South Korean Unification Ministry addressed this suspected collaboration on Monday, stating that North Korea is likely to proceed with the launch in the coming months.
South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho stated, "It is hard to predict when North Korea will make the third attempt for the launch. But there seem to be signs of the North receiving technical assistance from Russia," as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Minister Kim also expressed concern, saying, "There is a very high possibility that North Korea will make provocations once it completes making up for technical problems."
North Korea has previously attempted satellite launches in May and August, both of which ended in failure due to technical issues. However, the recent strengthening of diplomatic ties between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised suspicions of collaboration between the two countries. They have engaged in military technology cooperation and expanded trade, aiming to bolster their regional power alongside China.
In response to international criticism, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui dismissed the allegations, suggesting that North Korea's adversaries have ulterior motives in attempting to undermine its relationship with Russia. Minister Choe stated, "They have vital geopolitical interests in illegalizing the DPRK-Russia relations, in view of the present international political situation and the crises the U.S., Japan, and [South Korea] are facing at home and abroad."
Last month, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan strongly condemned North Korea for allegedly supplying munitions and military equipment to Russia, claiming that such weapons shipments have exacerbated the human toll of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Any weapons trade with North Korea would be a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, which Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has previously endorsed. Both Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations.
Login