TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

THE/DIPLOMAT WORLD TURKISH NEWS North Korea is increasing arms sales to Russia, Iran, Syria, and other countries. Pyongyang is replacing the Korean People's Army's weapons stockpiles with new ones, while selling outdated weapons from its existing stockpiles to overseas customers. According to various sources within the country, North Korea has recently been actively smuggling weapons to Russia and other countries. A source in North Korea, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Daily NK on August 31, "The government's arms exports have increased recently. Not only Russia, but many other countries want our weapons." According to the source, countries that have recently imported weapons from North Korea include Russia, Iran, Syria, Egypt, and Qatar. The source explained that the weapons are usually smuggled in via ships on the high seas. In most of these states, armed groups operating within those states purchase weapons, which are then smuggled into China, hidden on cargo ships carrying ore. From China, they are shipped to third countries. The source stated that officials from the General Equipment Bureau and the Second Economic Commission of the Munitions Industry Department of the Ministry of Defense were sent to China, where they acted as intermediaries to largely facilitate arms smuggling. Russia is the largest recent buyer of North Korean weapons. North Korea ships its weapons directly to Russia, not indirectly through other countries, and exports them by train or ship from the port of Rason. North Korea primarily sells ammunition and artillery shells to Russia; however, 7.62 mm and 5.45 mm automatic rifles are also significant export items. The United States has repeatedly accused North Korea of ​​sending weapons to aid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. North Korea denies this claim, but Pyongyang openly expresses its rhetorical support for Moscow in the war. On August 6, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that leader Kim Jong Un conducted on-site inspection visits to key ammunition factories, including one producing large-caliber multiple launch platforms, between August 3-5. Media outlets published photos of Kim personally inspecting weapons, including a 7.62 mm rifle. A source speaking to Daily NK stated, "The party ordered North Korea to receive wheat, natural gas, and oil from Russia in exchange for weapons, and not to accept the ruble, which has depreciated in value since the war, while receiving cash payments." Another source within North Korea claimed that the North Korean government recently received plans and process diagrams for nuclear application technologies as payment for arms sales.