North Korea has been a hot topic in the news for years, with its controversial leader Kim Jong-un and its nuclear weapons program. But one aspect that often goes overlooked is where North Korea gets its missiles from. While the country has been known to develop its own ballistic missiles, it is believed that they have also received assistance from other countries, including Russia.
In this article, we will explore the relationship between North Korea and Russia and the potential sources of North Korea’s ballistic missiles.
The Relationship Between North Korea and Russia
North Korea and Russia have a long history of diplomatic and economic ties. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1948 and have maintained a close relationship ever since. During the Cold War, North Korea was a close ally of the Soviet Union, and after its collapse, Russia continued to provide aid and support to North Korea.
In recent years, the relationship between the two countries has strengthened, with Russian President Vladimir Putin making multiple visits to North Korea and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting Russia in 2019. This close relationship has raised concerns about potential military cooperation between the two countries, including the transfer of ballistic missile technology.
North Korean Ballistic Missiles
North Korea has been developing ballistic missiles since the 1970s, with the help of Soviet and Chinese technology. The country has made significant advancements in its missile program, with the ability to launch missiles from submarines and potentially reach the United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
North Korea has also conducted multiple missile tests, including a series of ballistic missile launches in 2017 that raised concerns among the international community. These tests have led to sanctions from the United Nations and condemnation from other countries, including the United States.
Sources of North Korean Ballistic Missiles
While North Korea has been known to develop its own ballistic missiles, it is believed that the country has also received assistance from other countries, including Russia. There are several potential sources of North Korea’s ballistic missiles, including:
Soviet Union/Russia
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union provided significant support to North Korea’s missile program. In the 1970s, the Soviet Union supplied North Korea with Scud-B missiles, which were reverse-engineered and used as the basis for North Korea’s own missile development.
In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia continued to provide assistance to North Korea’s missile program. In 1996, a Russian company was caught attempting to sell missile technology to North Korea, leading to sanctions from the United States.
In recent years, there have been reports of Russian scientists and engineers working in North Korea, potentially providing technical assistance for missile development. However, there is no concrete evidence of Russia directly supplying North Korea with ballistic missiles.
China
China has also been a significant source of missile technology for North Korea. In the 1970s, China provided North Korea with the technology to produce its own version of the Soviet Scud-B missile, known as the Hwasong-5.
In the 1980s, China supplied North Korea with the technology to produce the Hwasong-6, a longer-range version of the Scud missile. China also provided North Korea with the technology to produce the Nodong missile, which has a range of 1,300 km and is capable of reaching Japan.
While #China has denied providing North Korea with missile technology, there have been reports of Chinese companies supplying North Korea with missile components. In 2017, a Chinese company was caught selling missile parts to North Korea, leading to sanctions from the United States.
Iran
Iran has also been a potential source of North Korea’s ballistic missiles. The two countries have a history of cooperation in the military and nuclear sectors, and it is believed that Iran has provided North Korea with missile technology in exchange for nuclear technology.
In 2017, the United States accused #Iran of providing North Korea with missile components, leading to sanctions against both countries. However, there is no concrete evidence of Iran directly supplying North Korea with ballistic missiles.
Conclusion
While North Korea has been known to develop its own ballistic missiles, it is believed that the country has also received assistance from other countries, including Russia. The close relationship between North Korea and Russia, as well as the history of cooperation between the two countries, raises concerns about potential military cooperation and the transfer of ballistic missile technology.
Other potential sources of North Korea’s ballistic missiles include China and Iran, both of which have a history of providing missile technology to North Korea. However, there is no concrete evidence of any country directly supplying North Korea with ballistic missiles.
As tensions continue to rise between North Korea and the international community, it is crucial to monitor the country’s missile development and potential sources of technology. Only through cooperation and transparency can we ensure the safety and security of the global community.
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