December 09, 2023
Analysis

Why North Korea would supply Russia with short-range ballistic missiles

Seoul says shipment may have happened, and experts say DPRK could use it as opportunity to test new weapons in combat

Reports that North Korea may have provided short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) to Russia point to the lengths Pyongyang is willing to go to support the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, as well its growing confidence in its weapons capabilities, according to experts.

In a background briefing last week, the South Korean military announced that it had detected “signs” of the DPRK providing SRBMs as well as anti-tank and anti-air missiles to Moscow, not just artillery as previously claimed.