North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has demanded his country produce more artillery shells as it continues to support Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Both South Korea and Japan accused the isolated nation of preparing missiles for Russia after firing a flurry of rockets into the Sea of Japan earlier this week.
Ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened in the last two years, with an estimated 15,000 North Korean soldiers being deployed to the Russian frontline after President Vladimir Putin visited the ally nation in 2024.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Jong Un, during recent visits to unspecified munitions and machinery factories, praised modernisation efforts to help double their annual shell production capacity.
The news agency did not mention any comments from Jong Un regarding his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
KCNA added that the nation’s leader told workers it was crucial to continue “strengthening the fighting efficiency” of his armed forces.
Recent South Korean intelligence estimates suggest that, of its roughly 15,000 deployed troops, North Korea has suffered close to 5,000 casualties against Ukrainian forces.
Pyongyang broke its silence on the reports of its involvement on the Eastern European frontline last month when it confirmed for the first time it had sent troops to aid Russia in recapturing parts of the Kursk region.
Putin has thanked his Asian counterpart for its support, promising not to forget their sacrifices.
Geopolitical analysts have speculated that the official acknowledgement from both leaders could lay the foundations for further collaboration with military exchanges benefiting both countries.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated, during a closed-door briefing to lawmakers last month, it believes its neighbour has sent about 15,000 workers to Russia under bilateral industrial cooperation programs.
The intelligence services added that there are no immediate signs that Russia has provided direct cash payments in return for North Korea services but, instead, that Russia has likely compensated North Korea with air defence missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones and technology for spy satellite launches.