South Korea’s defense minister said on Monday that since July, North Korea has sent about 7,000 containers of weapons to Russia for the war against Ukraine.

Kim Jong-unPhoto: KCNA via KNS / Associated Press / Profimedia Images

Historical allies Russia and North Korea are subject to international sanctions: Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, and Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons tests, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Last September, the leaders of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, held a summit in the Russian Far East, after which the United States said that Pyongyang had begun supplying Moscow with weapons.

“The number of containers originating from North Korea destined for Russia has increased from 300 to 7,000 containers,” South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said at a press conference on Monday, his ministry told AFP.

The figure refers to materials sent since July, and Shin said that “as some sea routes have already been suspended, some have been sent to Russia by rail.”

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Last October, the US said that North Korean arms shipments to Russia were continuing, and Pyongyang estimated that more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition had been delivered to Moscow at the time.

The following month, Seoul accused Pyongyang of sending more than a million artillery shells to Russia, while North Korea in return received technical advice from Moscow on its project to launch a military reconnaissance satellite.

During his visit to Russia in September, Kim Jong-un said bilateral ties with Moscow were his country’s “number one priority” and Pyongyang has become a staunch defender of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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According to Washington and experts, Pyongyang is seeking military support in return, particularly in satellite technology and modernization of its Soviet-era military equipment.

North Korean state media announced Monday that Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election with a record 87.29 percent of the vote, achieved by suppressing the opposition.

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