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South Korea: Russia supplied defense systems to North Korea in exchange for its forces

2024-11-22 21:05:49, Kosova & Bota CNA

South Korea: Russia supplied defense systems to North Korea in exchange for its

Moscow supplied North Korea with air defense systems in exchange for deploying its forces to support Russia's war against Ukraine, a senior South Korean official said on Friday.

The United States, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in October, some of which have recently been engaged in front-line fighting. The deployment of North Korean troops is threatening to escalate the war, and the question of what Russia might offer North Korea in return has been a source of widespread speculation internationally.

The most alarming development for South Korea and the United States would be if Russia were to send sophisticated weapons technology to North Korea that would increase its capacity to attack rivals with nuclear missiles. Many experts, however, rule out the possibility of Russia doing so at this stage of troop deployment from North Korea.

Shin Wonsik, national security adviser to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in an appearance on SBS television on Friday that South Korea has discovered that Russia has provided missiles and other equipment to North Korea to help it to reinforce the air defense system in the capital Pyongyang. Mr. Shin did not give details about what kind of missiles are involved.

Expert Lee Illwoo of the Korean Defense Network in South Korea said Russia may have sent S-400 long-range surface-to-air missiles and radar systems. He said North Korea could build its own shorter-range surface-to-air missiles.

The S-400 missile, with a range of 400 kilometers, is considered one of Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft weapons. But expert Lee cast doubt on how much these missiles could actually bolster Pyongyang's air defense system, saying Russian air defense systems have failed to effectively deal with Ukrainian drone attacks.

Many observers say North Korea appears to have seen the need to bolster its air defense capabilities after last month it accused South Korea of ??launching drones over Pyongyang to distribute propaganda leaflets. The South Korean military has not confirmed whether it is behind them.

Military expert Kim Dae Young at the Korea National Security Research Institute says it is possible that among the air defense systems that North Korea received from Russia are anti-drone equipment.

He says it will take years to upgrade Pyongyang's aging air defense system and possibly help from other countries to counter the superiority of the air forces of South Korea and the United States.

Expert Shin says Russia appears to have provided North Korea with economic aid and various military technologies, including those Pyongyang needs to try to rebuild a viable space surveillance system. He did not say whether Russia has already provided sensitive nuclear and missile technology to North Korea.

During a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was willing to help him build satellites. North Korea sent its first surveillance satellite into space in November last year, but foreign experts question whether the satellite can produce important military images. North Korea failed in its attempt to send a second satellite in May.

North Korea and Russia are increasing the level of their military and other cooperation in the face of their separate confrontations with the United States and its allies. Last month, South Korea's intelligence agency said North Korea has sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other equipment to Russia since August 2023 to make up for spent ammunition. The National Intelligence Service said on Wednesday that North Korea has recently sent additional artillery systems to Russia.

Earlier this week, North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement to expand economic cooperation after high-level talks in Pyongyang, according to both countries' state media./ VOA