There are 300 military factories in the DPRK, and now they work for Russia, – analyst

However, the matter may not be limited to just support for Russia.

North Korea has about 300 military factories, which employ an estimated 500,000 workers. Now this network has a solvent client: Russia. This is what South Korean analyst Yeonjun Kim writes in an opinion piece for Defense News .

The defense sector accounts for 30% to 60% of North Korea’s overall economy and produces about $10 billion worth of goods annually. About $700 million goes to nuclear development, and about $600 million to missile development.

This year, North Korea began reorganizing its defense industry, which correlates with Pyongyang’s recent intensification of cooperation with Moscow.

“Now North Korea can support Russia by sending ammunition and other conventional weapons. The partnership provides an opportunity for North Korean labor to travel to Russia to learn about advanced defense technology,” writes Yeonjun Kim.

At the same time, the South Korean analyst fears that Russia is just the beginning, and that the North Korean military-industrial complex may soon acquire new clients. He is also worried by the idea that Pyongyang will want to export not only artillery shells and high-explosive missiles, but also nuclear warheads.

“Kim’s ambitions have expanded beyond selling tickets to the Wonsan spa resort. Now North Korea is seeking its own version of the South Korean defense industry, [a powerful global exporter],” the analyst writes.

North Korean arms exports to Russia

As UNIAN reported, in early August, Russia, for the first time after a long pause, struck Ukraine with a North Korean missile . However, the missile did not reach its probable target, exploding in the air. The Russians used missiles most actively in this way in the first months of this year.

We also reported that Russia is likely receiving anti-tank missiles from North Korea. In late July, a Ukrainian drone spotted something strange near Vovchansk. Upon closer inspection, the strange object was identified as a Bulsae-4, a six-wheeled armored vehicle that functions as a mobile anti-tank missile launcher.

(C)UNIAN 2024