N. Korea sent more than 1,000 containers of military equipment, munitions to Russia: White House
WASHINGTON -- North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks for use in Ukraine, a White House official said Friday, lambasting burgeoning cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow as a threat to regional stability.
In a press briefing, John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, disclosed the information, amid persistent speculation that the Sept. 13 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin might have led to an arms deal.
Kirby also voiced concerns about possible Russian assistance to the North in return for arms support, disclosing the US' observation that Russian ships offloaded containers in the North, which he said "may constitute the initial deliveries of material from Russia."
"Our information indicates that in recent weeks, North Korea has provided Russia with more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions," he said.
The White House released imagery showing that between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1, a set of containers were shipped from Najin, North Korea, to Dunay, Russia, via MV Angara, a Russian-flagged cargo ship. The shipping containers were then moved via rail to an ammunition depot in southwestern Russia near Tikhoretsk, roughly 290 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
One of the photos also showed a shipment of about 300 shipping containers at Najin for delivery to Russia on Sept. 7-8 -- an indication that a decision on such an arms transfer was made prior to the rare meeting between Kim and Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport.
"We condemn the DPRK for providing Russia with this military equipment, which can be used to attack Ukrainian cities and kill Ukrainian civilians, and for the Russians and illegitimate war," Kirby said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The official also raised the possibility that Russia could offer something in exchange.
"We also are increasingly concerned about Russian assistance to the DPRK," he said. "In return for support, we assess that Pyongyang is seeking military assistance from Russia, including fighter aircraft, surface-to air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, or other materials and other advanced technologies."
(责任编辑:재무)
- ·Enjoying Halloween in Itaewon sparks debate online
- ·北주민 굶어 죽어도…김여정 디오르, 최선희는 구찌 '명품 사랑'
- ·보란듯 제재 무시하며 국제법 준수?…김정은 활용하는 푸틴의 속내는
- ·“김정은 두만강역 통해 귀국…조로관계 발전 새로운 장”
- ·One Store attracts W20b from Krafton
- ·Yoon plans state visits to UK, Netherlands later this year
- ·House ownership widens wealth gap between young and old
- ·Young swimmer enjoys self
- ·'Apgujeong Box Girl' sparks online debate
- ·Orchestra composed of players with visual impairment to perform Oct. 4
- ·US strategic bomber B
- ·S. Korea holds rare military parade, warns NK against nuclear attack
- ·Trilateral talks open on Korea
- ·[사진] 영장심사 마친 이재명, 묵묵부답
- ·Hyundai Rotem to showcase new ground weapons systems at Seoul expo
- ·S. Korean ambassador says stronger Russia
- ·Intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, performances head overseas
- ·Biz outlook stays flat for October amid slowing economy
- ·Over 1,300 rescue workers still traumatized by Itaewon Halloween tragedy
- ·Opposition leader Lee attends arrest warrant hearing at Seoul court