(2nd LD) N. Korea has sent more than 10,000 containers of munitions, materials to Russia since Sept.: State Dept.

(2nd LD) N Korea-Russia-arms transfers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) — North Korea has shipped over 10,000 containers of munitions or munition-related materials to Russia since September, the State Department said Friday, as Moscow strives to replenish its weapons stockpile for use in Ukraine.

The department pointed out the arms transactions as it and the Treasury Department together announced sanctions against more than 500 individuals and entities to ensure accountability for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The transactions between the North and Russia defied international criticism that they have run afoul of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, which Moscow itself voted for as a permanent council member.

“Since September 2023, the DPRK has delivered more than 10,000 containers of munitions or munitions-related materials to Russia,” the department said in a fact sheet. DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

In October, the White House revealed that the North sent more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions.

In the latest sanctions package, the department designated two additional entities involved in the transfer of munitions from the North to Russia. They are a Russian firm that manages a terminal at Vostochny Port in the Russian Far East and a naval facility near Vladivostok.

The White House has said that in addition to munitions, the North also provided Russia with several dozen ballistic missiles, some of which were fired against Ukraine on Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Jan. 6.

Observers have expressed worries that the North’s arms support for Russia could contribute to prolonging the war in Ukraine while what in return Moscow might have given to Pyongyang could further undermine security on the Korean Peninsula.

This image, provided by the White House, shows Russia’s launch of North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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