South Korea Claims Russia Supplied Air Defense Missiles to North Korea in Exchange for Troops

SEOUL — Russia has reportedly provided air defense missile systems to North Korea in return for the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, a senior South Korean official said on Friday.

According to South Korean and U.S. authorities, North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to Russia in October, some of whom are now engaged in front-line combat. This troop deployment has heightened concerns about further escalating the conflict in Ukraine, and global speculation has grown about what North Korea might receive in exchange for its support.

South Korea’s national security adviser, Shin Wonsik, revealed during an SBS TV interview that Russia had delivered missiles and other military equipment to bolster North Korea’s air defense capabilities. However, Shin did not specify which missiles were included in the transfer.

South Korea’s National Security Director Shin Wonsik delivers a speech at a conference in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Shin Hyun-woo/Yonhap via AP)

Lee Illwoo, a defense analyst with the Korea Defense Network, suggested that the shipment likely included Russia’s S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, launchers, and radar equipment. While North Korea has the capacity to produce short-range surface-to-air missiles, the S-400, with its 400-kilometer (250-mile) range, represents one of Russia’s most advanced anti-aircraft technologies.

However, Lee questioned the practical impact of the S-400 on North Korea’s air defense, noting Russia’s struggles to counter Ukrainian drone attacks with the same systems.

Observers believe North Korea may have sought to upgrade its air defenses after accusing South Korea last month of deploying drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. North Korea warned of military retaliation if such actions occurred again, though South Korea has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the alleged drone flights.

Kim Dae Young, a military expert at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, suggested that the defense systems obtained from Russia could include counter-drone technologies. Nonetheless, he noted that North Korea’s outdated air defenses would require significant upgrades and external assistance to counter the advanced air forces of South Korea and the U.S.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during an opening ceremony of a defense exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In addition to air defense systems, Shin indicated that Russia appears to have offered economic aid and technological support to North Korea, including assistance with its space surveillance ambitions. It remains unclear if this includes sensitive nuclear or missile technology transfers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously expressed a willingness to help North Korea develop satellite capabilities during a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although North Korea successfully launched its first spy satellite in November 2023, foreign experts have questioned its military utility. A second launch attempt in May failed.

North Korea and Russia have been strengthening military and economic ties amid shared tensions with the U.S. and its allies. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recently reported that North Korea has delivered over 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles, and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish dwindling supplies. Additional shipments of artillery systems were reportedly sent in recent weeks.

This week, North Korea and Russia agreed to expand their economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang, according to state-run media from both countries.