Arms supply concerns rise as rail traffic surges between North Korea, Russia

This week saw a significant increase in rail traffic along the North Korea-Russia border, which suggests Pyongyang may have been supplying Moscow with weapons after their leaders discussed expanding their military collaboration, according to a U.S. think tank.

The Beyond Parallel Project of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies published a study in which it claimed that satellite photography revealed a “unprecedented” 73 or so goods cars at Tumangang Rail Station in the North Korean border city of Rason.

According to the report, traffic was significantly more than it had been over the previous five years, including before the pandemic.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met for a week-long meeting in Russia’s Far East to discuss military issues, the conflict in Ukraine, and developing military and political ties.

“Given that Kim and Putin discussed some military exchanges and cooperation at their recent summit, the dramatic increase in rail traffic likely indicates North Korea’s supply of arms and munitions to Russia,” the think tank said, although it could not be sure due to the extensive use of tarps to cover the rail cars.

North Korea and Russia’s military cooperation has been advised by the United States and South Korea not to do so as it would be against U.N. sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. They voiced fear that Pyongyang would receive technological assistance for its spy satellite and missile projects, while Moscow might look to North Korea for munitions to supplement its declining supplies in its invasion of Ukraine.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, came under fire from North Korea for condemning Pyongyang’s cooperation during the summit and asserting that it was “natural” and “normal” for neighbours to have cordial ties.

(With agency inputs)