March 31, 2023
2 mins read

N.Korea in ‘arms for food’ deal with Russia: US

US spokesman Kirby said North Korea seeks to secure food supplies in exchange and that the potential arms deal is being arranged through a Slovakian arms dealer…reports Asian Lite News

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that North Korea is working to send dozens of kinds of weapons and munitions to Russia to be used in Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine in exchange for food supplies, the media reported on Friday.

Addressing a virtual press briefing on Thursday, Kirby said North Korea seeks to secure food supplies in exchange and that the potential arms deal is being arranged through a Slovakian arms dealer, identified as Ashot Mkrtychev, reports Yonhap News Agency.

“We remain concerned that North Korea will provide further support to Russia’s military operations against Ukraine,” he said, noting that North Korea delivered large quantities of munitions to Russia late last year.

“As part of this proposed deal, Russia would receive over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions from Korea. We also understand that Russia is seeking to send a delegation to North Korea and that Russia is offering North Korea food in exchange for munitions.”

The US Department of Treasury said it has imposed sanctions on Mkrtychev for arranging the arms deal between North Korea and Russia.

Seoul : The captured image shows a photo released by the U.S. National Security Council on Jan. 20, 2023, showing a set of Russian railcars traveling between Russia and North Korea on Nov. 18-Nov. 19, 2022 for a suspected delivery of North Korean military equipment to Russia’s private military company, the Wagner Group. (Yonhap/IANS)

“Between the end of 2022 and early 2023, Mkrtychev worked with DPRK officials to obtain over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions for Russia in exchange for materials ranging from commercial aircraft, raw materials, and commodities to be sent to the DPRK,” the Department said in a statement.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea’s official name.

Kirby emphasised that any provision of weapons or munitions to Russia by North Korea would be in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, which prohibit any shipments of weapons to and from the North.

“Any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would directly violate a series of UN Security Council resolutions. We’ve taken note of North Korea’s recent statements that they will not provide or sell arms to Russia and we are continuing to monitor this closely,” he told the briefing.

“We are going to continue to identify, expose and counter Russian attempts to acquire military equipment from North Korea or from any other state that is prepared to support its war in Ukraine.”

North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world and has experienced chronic food shortages for decades, including a devastating famine in the mid-to-late 1990s, the BBC reported.

In February, experts warned the reclusive nation was facing a critical food crisis due to a significant drop in production — worsened by poor weather, strict border controls and the effect of international sanctions.

Satellite imagery from South Korean authorities shows that the North produced 180,000 tonnes less food in 2022 than in 2021.

ALSO READ: Nine US soldiers killed after Black Hawk helicopters crash in Kentucky

Previous Story

Karigari- Ek Ahsaas: A Journey Of Taste

Next Story

Sunita Pant never held on to any feeling of ‘having achieved’

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

PELOSI VISIT: Pakistan backs China

Pakistan has reiterated its support for One China policy, issuing

MPs demand answers over spy agencies’ deal with Amazon

“The government must – urgently – update parliament on the