Recent reports have raised speculations that North Korea has deployed regular troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war, signaling closer ties between North Korea and Russia. Amid these developments, South Korean media outlet MBN has exclusively obtained images of what is believed to be a prefabricated or modular-style military factory provided by North Korea to Russia.
The images reveal several container-like buildings scattered across a vast field. Inside, objects resembling shells, as well as equipment used to transport them, were observed.
MBN’s footage released on October 10 shows that North Korean technology and materials have been used in a shell production facility located in Russia. This prefabricated military factory is designed for easy assembly and disassembly, breaking down the manufacturing process into modular parts.
According to intelligence sources, North Korea began supporting Russia with these prefabricated military factories late last year, sending over 200 technicians and providing pre-made equipment. Reports suggest that joint North Korea-Russia military factories have been established not only in Russia’s Primorsky region but also near the frontlines in Ukraine, with as many as 20 factories in operation.
Hyun Seung-soo, Deputy Director of the Korea Institute for National Unification, stated, “It is highly likely that Russia and North Korea have already begun collaborating on the manufacturing process, which benefits both parties significantly.”
A Russian source also noted that job postings for military factory personnel in Russia increased significantly last year. Additionally, some of the North Korean technicians sent to Russia had the opportunity to observe the operations of Russian military factories firsthand, and upon their return, they contributed to modernizing North Korea’s own military production facilities.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
