{"id":2201949,"date":"2023-08-10T17:58:54","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T08:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201949"},"modified":"2023-08-11T17:02:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T08:02:28","slug":"how-russias-dprk-sanctions-breach-impacts-south-koreas-calculus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/08\/how-russias-dprk-sanctions-breach-impacts-south-koreas-calculus\/","title":{"rendered":"How Russia\u2019s possible DPRK sanctions breach impacts South Korea\u2019s calculus"},"content":{"rendered":"
Recent <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> that Ukrainian forces seized North Korean artillery that seemed to have been destined for the Russian military add complexity to South Korea\u2019s stance on providing arms to Ukraine.<\/span><\/p>\n Given Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu\u2019s <\/span>recent trip<\/span><\/a> to Pyongyang \u2014 highlighted by his attendance at an arms exhibit featuring prohibited ballistic missiles \u2014 it should not come as a surprise if North Korea provided arms to Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n However, even if DPRK weapons transfers to Russia are confirmed, they are unlikely to substantially shift the discourse on South Korea\u2019s provision of lethal military assistance to Ukraine or redefine South Korea-Russia relations for the foreseeable future.<\/span><\/p>\n The crux of this revelation might lie elsewhere: Seoul will likely increasingly question the Russian Federation\u2019s role as a partner in efforts to denuclearize North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n MOSCOW\u2019S MOTIVATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n The potential acquisition of Grad multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) by Russia from North Korea aligns with prior <\/span>speculation<\/span><\/a> in the Russian media space. This chatter emerged after a Sept. 2022 New York Times <\/em><\/span>article<\/span><\/a> suggested potential arms deals between North Korea and Russia, spotlighting the military advantages such hardware could offer Moscow on the Ukrainian battlefield. <\/span>The discovery that North Korean munitions have surfaced in Ukraine appears to challenge Pyongyang\u2019s prior <\/span>denials<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Moscow\u2019s rationale for seeking armaments from North Korea is clear. However, questions arise about the possibility of regularized arms exchanges between the two countries.<\/span><\/p>\n