North Korean Weapons in Ukraine: A Global Concern

 

North Korean Weapons in Ukraine: A Global Concern

The discovery of North Korean weapons in Ukraine has sent shockwaves around the world, raising concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the violation of international sanctions. The story begins with a young Ukrainian weapons inspector, Khrystyna Kimachuk, who received a tip about an unusual-looking missile that had crashed into a building in Kharkiv. As she examined the wreckage, she noticed a Korean character and the number 112, which corresponds to the year 2023 in the North Korean calendar. This was the first piece of hard evidence that North Korean weapons were being used to attack Ukraine.

Since then, the Ukrainian military has reported that dozens of North Korean missiles have been fired by Russia into its territory, killing at least 24 people and injuring over 70. The implications are far bigger than just the conflict in Ukraine. The use of North Korean weapons in Europe highlights the country's ability to fuel existing wars and feed global instability.

The investigation into the missile wreckage revealed that it was bursting with the latest foreign technology, including US and European electronic parts. This meant that North Korea had illicitly procured vital weapons components, assembled the missile, and shipped it to Russia in secret, all in a matter of months. The speed and sophistication of North Korea's weapons program have left experts stunned.

The shipment of North Korean weapons to Russia is believed to have begun after Kim Jong Un met with Vladimir Putin in September last year. Using satellite imagery, experts have tracked four Russian cargo ships shuttling back and forth between North Korea and a Russian military port, loaded with hundreds of containers at a time. In total, it's estimated that 7,000 containers have been sent, filled with over a million ammunition shells and grad rockets.

The arrival of ballistic missiles on the battlefield has raised concerns about North Korea's weapons program. The Hwasong 11 missile, capable of traveling up to 700km, is Pyongyang's most sophisticated short-range missile. Although the Ukrainians have downplayed its accuracy, experts say it's not much worse than Russian missiles. The advantage of these missiles is that they are extremely cheap, allowing countries to buy more and fire more, overwhelming air defenses.

The production of these missiles raises questions about how many North Korea can produce. The South Korean government has observed that Pyongyang's weapons factories are operating at full tilt, and experts estimate they can churn out a few hundred a year. The fact that many of the computer chips used in these missiles are the same as those used in our phones, washing machines, and cars makes it difficult to track their origin.

The implications of North Korea's weapons program are far-reaching. By buying Pyongyang's weapons, Moscow is violating the very sanctions it once voted for as a member of the UN Security Council. The real winners here are the North Koreans, who have helped the Russians in a significant way, gaining leverage and breathing space. The war is also providing North Korea with a shop window to the rest of the world, and it's likely to become a big supplier of missiles to countries in the China-Russia-Iran bloc.

Experts are divided on how to contain North Korea's weapons program. Some believe that working with manufacturers can cut off North Korea's supply chains, while others think it's too late. The West has ultimately failed in its attempt to contain the rogue state, and now its missiles are a source of prestige, political power, and vast amounts of money. Why would Kim Jong Un ever give them up now?

The use of North Korean weapons in Ukraine is a wake-up call for the international community. It highlights the need for more effective sanctions and enforcement, as well as a more comprehensive approach to containing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The world cannot afford to ignore the implications of North Korea's weapons program, and it's time for a concerted effort to address this global concern.