Russia has secured more than 16,500 containers of munitions and related materiel from North Korea since September last year, a U.S. official said Wednesday, in yet another sign of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

During a security forum in Washington, Robert Koepcke, deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea, Japan and Mongolia, also revealed that since late December, Russia has launched upward of 65 North Korean missiles into Ukraine.

The official’s remarks came as Washington has been working with allies to disrupt and prevent arms transactions between the North and Russia amid growing concerns about their security implications for the Korean Peninsula and Europe.

“Since September of last year, Russia has procured over 16,500 shipping containers of munitions and munitions-related materiel from DPRK,” he said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“These arms transfers constitute clear violations of multiple U.N. Security
Council resolutions,” he added.

Robert Koepcke, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea, Japan and Mongolia, speaks during a forum in Washington on Sept. 4, 2024. (Yonhap)

Robert Koepcke, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea, Japan and Mongolia, speaks during a forum in Washington on Sept. 4, 2024. (Yonhap)

Koepcke also said that Washington is “deepening concerned” about what North Korea is getting in return for its arms support for Russia.

“In return for its missiles going to Ukraine, we believe Pyongyang is seeking military assistance from Russia, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment and other materials,” he said.

The official underscored the ramifications from Russia’s use of North Korean weapons on a war-torn Ukraine.

“Russia is using DPRK bullets and missiles to kill Ukrainian civilians, destroy Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, and prolong Russia’s unlawful war,” he said.

He also reiterated that t
he door for dialogue with North Korea remains open.

“The United States remains committed to diplomacy. We are willing to engage in dialogue without preconditions,” he said.

“Advancing regional and global peace and security means we are open to discussing security issues, as well as human rights and humanitarian issues, including on family reunifications or inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.”

But as long as the North refuses to engage in dialogue and continues to carry out provocations, the U.S. will be compelled to take steps to protect itself and its allies, he said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency