By HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG, Related Press
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russia has equipped air protection missile methods to North Korea in change for sending its troops to help Russia’s battle efforts towards Ukraine, a high South Korean official stated Friday.
The U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea despatched greater than 10,000 troops to Russia in October, a few of whom have just lately begun partaking in fight on the entrance traces. North Korea’s troop deployment threatens to escalate the battle, and what Russia might give to the North in return has been a supply of rampant worldwide hypothesis.
Probably the most alarming growth for South Korea and the U.S. could be Russia transferring subtle weapons know-how that may improve North Korea’s nuclear-capable missiles concentrating on its rivals. Many specialists say, although, that it’s unlikely Russia would do that within the preliminary stage of the North’s troop deployment.
Shin Wonsik, nationwide safety adviser for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, instructed an SBS TV program Friday that South Korea has discovered Russia offered missiles and different gear to assist it reinforce its air protection community for Pyongyang, the capital. Shin didn’t say what particular missiles Russia gave to North Korea.
South Korea’s Nationwide Safety Director Shin Wonsik delivers a speech at a convention in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Shin Hyun-woo/Yonhap through AP)
Lee Illwoo, an professional with the Korea Protection Community in South Korea, stated that Russia has seemingly despatched S-400 long-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and ground-based radar methods. He stated that North Korea is able to constructing shorter-range surface-to-air missiles by itself.
The S-400 missile, with a variety of 250 miles, is taken into account one in every of Russia’s most superior anti-aircraft weapons. However Lee questioned how considerably it could enhance Pyongyang’s air protection, saying Russian air protection methods have didn’t successfully cope with Ukrainian drone assaults.
Many observers say North Korea has seemingly felt the pressing want to spice up its air protection capabilities after it final month accused South Korea of flying drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. North Korea threatened to take army motion if leaflets had been once more dropped. South Korea’s army has refused to substantiate whether or not or not it was behind the alleged drone flights.
Kim Dae Younger, a army professional on the Korea Analysis Institute for Nationwide Technique, stated it’s attainable that the air protection methods North Korea acquired from Russia might embrace counter-drone gear.
Kim stated that Pyongyang’s outdated air protection system would want years of enchancment and probably large exterior assist to deal with the superior air forces of South Korea and america.
Shin stated Russia has additionally appeared to have given financial help to North Korea and varied army applied sciences, together with these wanted for the North’s efforts to construct a dependable space-based surveillance system. Shin didn’t say whether or not Russia has already transferred delicate nuclear and missile applied sciences to North Korea.
Throughout a summit with North Korean chief Kim Jong Un final 12 months, Russian President Vladimir Putin already stated that Moscow was keen to assist the North construct satellites. North Korea put its first spy satellite tv for pc into orbit in November final 12 months, however international specialists query whether or not that satellite tv for pc can produce militarily significant imagery. The North’s try and launch a second spy satellite tv for pc failed in Could.
North Korea and Russia have been sharply boosting their army and different cooperation within the face of separate confrontations with the U.S. and its allies. Final month, South Korea’s spy company stated that North Korea had despatched greater than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and different standard arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles. The Nationwide Intelligence Service stated Wednesday that North Korea had just lately despatched further artillery methods to Russia.
Earlier this week, North Korea and Russia reached a brand new settlement for increasing financial cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, based on the international locations’ state-run media.
