Pyongyang [North Korea], May 17: Kim Yo-jong said that the "theory" that the arms deal between North Korea and Russia is made up of prejudice and fiction is "the most absurd theory", calling it a false rumor created by the powers that be. Hostilities spread, according to KCNA.
In her statement, Ms. Kim emphasized that North Korea's weapons development is not for export but for defense against South Korea.
Ms. Kim made the above statement after the United States on May 16 announced new sanctions against two individuals and three Russian companies, accusing them of facilitating the transfer of weapons between Russia and North Korea, including including ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Debris from a missile that fell on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on January 2 was from North Korea's Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile, UN sanctions monitors told a panel of Security Council in the Reuters report has been seen.
The US and South Korea accuse North Korea of transferring weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine, while both Moscow and Pyongyang deny this accusation.
The relationship between Russia and North Korea has been significantly strengthened after leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia's far east in September 2023 and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Reuters.
Amid the growing partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, North Korea's ambassador to Russia on May 16 called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "an American puppet" and declared that Russia would win the conflict. with Ukraine, according to KCNA.
There is currently no information on the reaction of Kyiv as well as Washington to the North Korean ambassador's statement.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
