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The White House released this image, saying that on Sept. 7 freight containers holding weapons meant for Russia were stacked in North Korea’s Rajin Port.

The White House disclosed that North Korea provided 1,000 containers of ammunition and military equipment to Russia, suggesting that the two countries have been carrying out active tactical and strategic cooperation before and after their respective leader’s summit that took place on Sept. 13.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated during a press briefing on Friday, “We now have information that North Korea has delivered arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. Our information indicates that in recent weeks, North Korea has provided Russia with more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions.”

The White House released three satellite photos as evidence for this information, explaining that one of them shows approximately 300 sea transport containers stacked in the port of Rajin in North Korea, which is close to Russia, on Sept. 7 and 8. The second photo is of the port of Dunay in eastern Russia on Sept. 12. The White House explained that one ship was loaded with containers from North Korea while the other was carrying containers to be sent to North Korea. The White House added that the third photo depicts containers that were unloaded in Tikhoretsk, which is on the border between Russia and Ukraine, in effect claiming that containers containing weapons provided by North Korea arrived in Russia’s eastern port by ship before being sent to an area bordering Ukraine by train.

Kirby further remarked that the US is concerned by the possibility of Russian assistance to North Korea, explaining that in return for supplying arms, Pyongyang wants to obtain manufacturing equipment for fighter planes, ground-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, and ballistic missiles or other ingredients and advanced technology. He also stated that Russian ships were spotted unloading containers in North Korea, speculating that this may be the initial supply for items Moscow is providing to Pyongyang.

If the White House’s explanation is correct, Pyongyang would have sent weapons to Moscow before North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a summit. Before the meeting took place, the US predicted that the two leaders would discuss trading weapons for use in the war in Ukraine in exchange for military technology needed by North Korea, strongly warning the two countries to cease their transaction.

“We condemn the DPRK for providing Russia with military equipment, which will be used to attack Ukrainian cities, kill Ukrainian civilians, and further Russia’s illegitimate war,” said Kirby, adding that the US will continue to monitor North Korea’s shipment of additional weapons to Russia. Moreover, noting that such a weapons transfer directly violates UN Security Council resolutions, Kirby warned that new sanctions would be placed on individuals facilitating such a deal.

By Lee Bon-young, Washington correspondent

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