N. Korea-Russia alliance spurs concerns over WMD proliferation

By Global Watch and AFP | 2024-12-17

WASHINGTON -- Ten countries and the European Union (EU) expressed increasing concern that Russia may be providing North Korea with assistance in developing weapons of mass destruction.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States and the high representative of the EU signed a statement on December 16, calling North Korea's growing involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine a "dangerous expansion."

They also said they were "deeply concerned about any political, military or economic support that Russia may be providing to the DPRK's illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction," using an acronym for North Korea.

North Korea conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on October 31, its first since December 2023. On November 5, it fired at least seven short-range ballistic missiles off the eastern coast of the peninsula.

Such missiles have a minimum range of 5,500km and are primarily designed to deliver nuclear warheads.

The Kremlin's propagandists have long promoted nuclear weapons on local radio, television and online as a show of Russia's might on the world stage, but following the invasion of Ukraine when it became clear Russian forces were facing major difficulty, this trend gained momentum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin November 19 signed a decree broadening the scope of when Moscow can use nuclear weapons.

The new doctrine outlines that Russia will consider using nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if it has support from nuclear powers.

Advanced technology from Russia

Pyongyang also has "sent significant quantities of missiles and ammunition to the Russian military to replenish its dwindling stockpiles," the US Treasury Department said in a December 16 statement.

"These actions reflect the DPRK's escalating provocation and hostile military posturing that exacerbate global tensions and destabilize regional peace and security," the statement said.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force earlier this month.

Nuclear-armed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen to acquire advanced technology from Russia and battle experience for his troops, say observers.

"The Kim regime's continued provocative actions -- including its most recent ICBM test and its deepening military support to Russia -- undermine the stability of the region and sustain Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine," said Acting US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith.

"The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit procurement and facilitation networks that enable these destabilizing activities," he added.

Signatories of the joint statement said they "condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation," including the "deployment of DPRK troops to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine."

The export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells and other materiel by Pyongyang to Russia, as well as Moscow's training of North Korean soldiers involving arms, represents "flagrant violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions," they added.

"We urge the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops," the statement said.

The statement came as US and Ukrainian officials confirmed North Korean troops have suffered casualties on the front line in Kursk province, Russia, which Ukrainian troops entered in August.

Pyongyang has sent more than 11,000 troops to reinforce Russia's war effort, including to Kursk province.