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North Korea has sent approximately 6,700 containers loaded with munitions to Russia since July to bolster its military efforts against Ukraine, marking a clear sign of continued arms transfers.

In a briefing to local media, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik outlined that these shipments could encompass over 3 million 152 mm artillery shells or 500,000 122 mm rounds. He said, “It could possibly be a mix of the two, and you can say that at least several million shells have been sent.”

Despite operational challenges faced by hundreds of North Korean munitions factories, including a scarcity of raw materials and electricity limiting them to about 30% of their capacity, those manufacturing artillery shells for Russia are operating “at full swing,” according to Shin.

This follows a revelation from the US State Department that claimed North Korea has transferred more than 10,000 containers of munitions or related materials to Russia since September. In return, North Korea has received approximately 9,000 containers, primarily filled with food supplies, which Shin notes has contributed to stabilizing prices within North Korea.

North Korea and Russia continue to deny the transfer of munitions between both countries. They have, however, vowed to “enhance military cooperation.”