Moscow transfers anti-aircraft missiles to Pyongyang, US "shocked" by rapid development of Russia-North Korea relations

Russia delivers anti-aircraft missiles and air defense systems to North Korea. Illustration photo. (Source: Getty)

In an interview with SBS TV and Yonhap news agency, South Korean Security Adviser Shin Won-sik said Russia has transferred anti-aircraft missiles and air defense systems to North Korea, in addition to military technology, including equipment to strengthen air defense systems.

According to Mr. Shin Won-sik, this provision of military and economic technical support is in exchange for Pyongyang sending soldiers to Russian territory.

“Russia has been supplying North Korea with anti-aircraft equipment and missiles to strengthen its air defense system. After the failed launch of a military reconnaissance satellite by North Korea on May 27, Russia announced its intention to provide satellite technology assistance to North Korea and is believed to have provided various military technologies.”

South Korean intelligence previously said the North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia were from the paratroopers and marines.

In another development, speaking at a conference held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Mira Rapp-Hooper, Special Assistant to the President and Director for East Asia and Oceania at the US National Security Council, said the current US administration is concerned about the "rapid growth" of Russia-North Korea relations. According to her, this cooperation has reached a scale "unimaginable a few years ago".

Referring to the mutual support between Russia and North Korea, Ms. Mira Rapp-Hooper said: "Russia has been able to provide advanced technical assistance to North Korea, as well as protect Pyongyang in international organizations and seek to legitimize their nuclear weapons... And I think that will be a formidable challenge for US administrations for many years to come."

Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that cooperation between Russia and North Korea "is not only an urgent issue, but also an increasingly important issue that cannot be ignored."