US says North Korea is supplying artillery shells to Russia

North Korea is already under scrutiny by the international community for its multiple weapons and missile tests. As of late, the United States has alleged that North Korea is also getting involved in the war in Ukraine by supplying artillery shells to Russia.

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby told a virtual briefing Wednesday that Pyongyang was supplying Russia with artillery shells for the war. Kirby added that North Korea was trying to cover up the shipments by transporting them through the Middle East and North Africa.

“Our indications that the DPRK is covertly supplying and we are going to monitor and see whether the shipments are received,” said Kirby, referring to the initials of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Kirby also said that Washington would consult with the United Nations on accountability issues over the shipments of artillery shells.

“We do have a sense on where they are going to transfer these shells,” Kirby added but did not give further details as to what options Washington was considering.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price suggested during a news briefing that Washington was considering sanctions among other possible options, like the case regarding Iran’s alleged provision of weapons to Russia.

“Just as we’re using every tool and will use every tool to counter the Iranian provision of weapons to Russia, we will do the same when it comes to the DPRK’s provisions of weapons to Russia,” said Price, citing the existing sanctions on Pyongyang.

Back in September, Washington imposed sanctions on an Iranian firm that was accused of coordinating military flights to transport drones to Russia, along with three other companies it alleged were involved in the manufacturing of drones.

Friday last week, Washington said its policy on North Korea has not changed, despite a remark on arms control talks with Pyongyang, as some experts say that such talks would mean accepting North Korea as a nuclear state. However, the US has long said that North Korea’s nuclear program is illegal and is subject to sanctions from the UN.

This comes amidst fears that Pyongyang is gearing up for its first nuclear test since 2017.