North Korean Weapons Boosting Russian Stockpiles, Says German General – Reuters

By Josh Smith

SEOUL – The provision of arms by North Korea has bolstered Russia’s position in Ukraine, enabling it to maintain its military stockpiles at home, according to Germany’s top military official during a recent visit to South Korea.

Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer expressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have sought arms from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if they were not deemed valuable. "It’s about increasing the production of weapons for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine; it also strengthens Russia by allowing them to sustain their current stock levels," Breuer told reporters in Seoul.

Ukraine and the United States, along with other nations and independent analysts, assert that North Korea is supporting Russia in its conflict with Ukraine by supplying rockets and missiles, likely in exchange for economic and military assistance from Moscow.

Since September of the previous year, North Korea has allegedly delivered at least 16,500 containers of munitions and related materials to Russia, with over 65 of those missiles reportedly used against targets in Ukraine, as noted by Robert Koepcke, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, in a recent speech.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the occurrence of direct arms transfers, which would violate United Nations embargoes.

When inquired if he had urged South Korea to provide arms directly to Ukraine, Breuer indicated alignment with Ukraine’s stance that equipment like anti-aircraft systems and infantry fighting vehicles would be beneficial, advocating that every nation should contribute as much as possible.

While South Korea has supplied non-lethal equipment and humanitarian aid, it has stated that it will not send weapons unless Russia’s collaboration with North Korea breaches unspecified red lines.

"We have communicated to North Korea that their security cooperation with Russia has direct implications for our security situation," remarked German Ambassador to South Korea Georg Schmidt.

During his visit, Breuer also toured two German warships docked in South Korea, which are set to transit the South China Sea before heading to Manila. The general refrained from confirming whether the vessels would navigate the disputed Taiwan Strait, marking the first such potential mission by German warships in over two decades.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which operates as a democratically governed entity, and asserts jurisdiction over the 110-mile-wide waterway. Taiwan fiercely contests these claims, insisting that only its people have the right to determine their future.