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Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) confirmed North Korea’s role in providing Russia with artillery for the war in Ukraine, including an estimated 25-40 percent
of current Russian artillery ammunition. North Korea has supplied more than 600 artillery systems of different types and calibers to Russia, including M-1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled
guns, M-1991 240mm multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), 107mm Type 63 rocket launchers, self-propelled anti-tank missile systems, D-74 122mm towed guns, and Type 76 140mm mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, and artillery shells. North Korea has also provided
more than 100 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia, which has used at least 80 of these missiles.
HUR frames these weapons deliveries as “systemic” in their scale and regularity, with North Korea occupying a “key position” among Russia’s foreign weapons and
equipment suppliers. North Korean weapons provisions to Russia reportedly totaled over 9 million 12mm and 152mm artillery rounds by the end of 2024, 12 million 152mm artillery shells by July 2025, and an estimated 15 million 152mm artillery shells by March
2026. Russia’s reliance on North Korean artillery munitions is increasing as of July 2025, with six Russian artillery units sourcing 50 to 100 percent of their munitions from North Korea. The latest HUR reports do not clearly represent an increase in North
Korean weapons provisions, however. HUR estimates that North Korea can produce 1 to 2 million artillery shells per year and could supply a “significant portion” of the shells to Russia depending on North Korea’s political decision-making. North Korea has reaped
significant economic benefit from these arms sales, despite international sanctions, with its economy estimated to have grown 3.7 percent in 2024, a trend likely to continue.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is continuing to expand South Korea’s cooperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and taking a role
in the global defense industry. North Korea blames South Korea, Japan, the United States, and NATO for weaponizing nuclear capabilities, which North Korea views as essential to its defense.
Lee stated at the July 7 NATO summit that South Korea and NATO must evolve their relationship into the “Korea-NATO Defense Industry Partnership 2.0,” which would include joint defense
research, production, and operational capabilities. South Korean National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac announced that Seoul and NATO had initiated negotiations to establish a baseline procurement agreement following Lee’s meeting with NATO Secretary General
Mark Rutte that same day. Wi clarified that this agreement will not impact South Korea’s relationship with either the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or Russia, however. Lee also discussed military shipbuilding with US President Donald Trump. Lee revealed
on June 19 that Trump inquired about South Korea constructing 10 US naval vessels at the G7 Summit in June. Seoul and Washington agreed to expand shipbuilding cooperation during bilateral tariff negotiations in 2025, and the Lee administration and South Korean
shipbuilding companies are reportedly preparing a $150 billion fund dedicated to such cooperation with the United States. The US Department of Defense and the US Navy recently issued Requests for Information (RFI) on manufacturing capabilities to three major
South Korean shipbuilders, including Hanwha Ocean, which purchased the Philadelphia Shipyard.
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