Russia and North Korea have reportedly reached a deal that would exchange North Korean weapons for Russian food. The latest news represents the latest effect of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The deal will see Russia and North Korea trading a number of items valuable to both sides.
North Korea is isolated from most global trade and has suffered severe food shortages in the past. It faced a severe famine in the 1990s.
Biden administration spokesperson John Kirby said that Moscow sought out the munitions from North Korea.
The White House says it has new evidence that Russia is looking again to North Korea for weapons to fuel the war in Ukraine, this time in a deal that would provide Pyongyang with needed food and other commodities in return. https://t.co/vDT1LaGgiP
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 30, 2023
Specifics of the deal between the two nations have not been released. However, Kirby said that the White House was “concerned that North Korea will provide further support and Russia’s military operations against Ukraine and we have new information that Russia is actively seeking to acquire additional munitions from North Korea.”
North Korea wouldn’t be alone in their support for Russia during the conflict. China has been accused of supplying drones used by pro-Russian Wagner Group forces. Iran has also allegedly supplied Russia with a number of drones.
The effort also follows considerable speculation over whether or not North Korea would send ‘volunteers’ to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
North Korea has been supportive of Russia’s efforts during the conflict, including voting against American-led resolutions condemning Russia.
Pyongyang has also entered back into international news following a number of high-profile missile tests. This week, American officials announced that North Korea has increased activities at one of its nuclear facilities.
Photos of the Yongbyon location indicate that North Korea may be about to place a new reactor online. Pyongyang announced last week that it developed miniaturized nuclear warheads and promised to expand its nuclear fuel supply.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that the nation would increase its production of these nuclear components “exponentially” and in a “far-sighted way.”
North Korea went further, with Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong accusing Ukraine of desiring to develop nuclear weapons.
