Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, denies supplying weapons to Russia

The United States, South Korea, and some of their allies expressed distress concerning the possible military cooperation between Russia and North Korea regarding the weapon exchange. As North Korean media reports, Kim Yo Jong claimed that North Korea's updated and recently developed weapon systems were not made for sale to any country but only for North Korean use. According to the statement released by the state media, North Korea is not planning to sell the weapons also in the future. Moreover, Russian officials have denied the claims of being given military supplies. Yet, the relationship between the countries has been tightened since 2022, and President Putin made several friendly visits to Pyongyang. Furthermore, the exchange between Russia and North Korea would have violated several UN Security Council resolutions.

Furthermore, Kim Yo Jong admitted that the newly constructed weapons were made as part of the backup plan for defense against South Korea, with which North Korea has been at war since the 1950-1953 conflict ended with a truce and not a treaty. She admitted in the released statement: "We don’t conceal the fact that such weapons will be used to prevent Seoul from inventing any idle thinking."

South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo has reported, citing official governmental sources, that over the last month, North Korea has deployed thousands of troops. However, it also released heavy equipment, among them excavators, due to the process of laying mines and barbed wire along the Korean border.

South Korean ministry responded with a declaration of full readiness to repel military threats claimed by North Korea due to the military alliance with the US.

Source: ABC News, Reuters, New York Times