Seoul: South Korea on Monday raised the possibility that North Korea received technological assistance from Russia in developing a new air-to-air missile following the North's test of the weapon last week, Yonhap News Agency reported.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), addressed a press briefing in Seoul, suggesting there might be an association between North Korea and Russia regarding arms and advanced technology exchanges. This speculation arose after North Korea's recent military activities, which included an air-to-air missile test.
Lee indicated that further analysis is necessary to clearly determine the extent and scope of Russia's possible technological assistance. He noted previous instances where North Korea attempted to exaggerate or deceive in securing parts and materials, leading to deployment delays.
The North Korean state media recently reported that leader Kim Jong-un supervised anti-air combat and air raid drills by an air force flight group. These drills, involving a new air-to-air missile launched from a MiG-29 fighter jet, underscore Kim's focus on modernizing conventional weapons. This comes amid his public visits to military units and munitions factories, emphasizing the need for stronger war preparations.