Russia has reportedly supplied air defense missiles to North Korea in exchange for sending troops to support Russia's war efforts against Ukraine. South Korea, the U.S., and Ukraine have confirmed that North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to Russia in October, with some now engaged in combat. It has been revealed that Russia provided missiles and other equipment to enhance North Korea's air defense network for its capital, Pyongyang.
Observers suggest that North Korea may have felt the need to bolster its air defense capabilities after accusing South Korea of dropping propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. In response, North Korea threatened military action if leaflets were dropped again, although South Korea's military has not confirmed its involvement in the alleged drone flights.
Aside from air defense missiles, Russia has also reportedly provided economic assistance and military technologies to North Korea, including support for building a space-based surveillance system. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously expressed willingness to assist North Korea in satellite development, with North Korea launching its first spy satellite in November last year.
Concerns have been raised by Seoul and Washington regarding potential Russian transfers of sensitive nuclear and missile technology to North Korea. However, it remains uncertain whether such transfers have occurred at this stage of North Korea's troop deployment.
South Korea's spy agency recently informed lawmakers that North Korea had sent additional artillery systems to Russia. The National Intelligence Service disclosed that North Korea had dispatched over 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles, and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its weapons stockpiles.
Following high-level talks in Pyongyang, North Korea and Russia have agreed to expand economic cooperation, as reported by their respective state-run media outlets.
