North Korea Criticizes US for Secretly Supplying Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine

North Korea has criticized the United States for secretly supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, according to a statement from the North Korean defense ministry reported by state media KCNA. The North Korean defense official expressed concerns over the escalating tensions and international unease caused by the US arms transfers to Ukraine.

The director of the Department of Foreign Military Affairs stated that the US move has generated "uneasiness and concern of the international community" and that the US "can never defeat the heroic Russian army and people with any latest weaponry or military support." "The U.S. supplying these weapons to Ukraine has generated uneasiness and concern in the international community, and that the U.S. cannot defeat the 'heroic Russian army and people' with any latest weaponry or military support," the defense ministry official said.

Why this matters: The criticism from North Korea comes amid growing defense ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, which the US and its allies see as a reason for mounting tensions in the Korean Peninsula. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has entered its 797th day, with Ukrainian troops retreating as Russian forces progress in the east.

In late April, a US official confirmed that the US had secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine to aid its fight against the Russian invasion. The US State Department said the United States has sent long-range missile systems known as ATACMS to Ukraine for use inside its territory. The ATACMS have a longer striking distance of up to 300 kilometers, compared to the previous version of the weapon provided by the US in October.

The Biden administration initially declined to send the ATACMS due to concerns over further escalating the conflict, but changed course after Russia's use of North Korean-supplied long-range ballistic missiles against Ukraine and continued targeting of Ukraine's critical infrastructure. The US has committed to only sending the ATACMS for use inside Ukraine, not in Russia.

The military aid package signed by President Biden will also enable the US to ramp up production of 155mm artillery shells used by Ukraine, from 30,000 per month to 100,000 by next summer. The North Korean statement criticizing the US missile shipments to Ukraine reflects the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the US and its allies are concerned about the escalating tensions in both Europe and the Korean Peninsula caused by the deepening defense cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Key Takeaways

• North Korea criticizes US for secretly supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine.
• US has shipped ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, with a range of up to 300 km.
• North Korea's criticism reflects growing military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
• US aims to ramp up production of 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine to 100,000 per month.
• Deepening defense cooperation between Russia and North Korea raises tensions in Europe and Korea.