▲ This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder speaking during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on Aug. 13, 2024. (Yonhap)

Pentagon-N Korea-Russia

Pentagon spokesman calls N. Korea 'complicit' in Russia's invasion of Ukraine

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- A Pentagon spokesperson accused North Korea Monday of being "complicit" in Russia's war in Ukraine as he reiterated the United States' concerns over Pyongyang's provision of munitions and other military equipment to Moscow.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder made the accusation during a press briefing in response to a question of whether Pyongyang is able to secure enough missiles for 250 launchers that it has said would be deployed to front-line areas.

"I don't have any information to provide in terms of specifics of North Korea providing missiles or launchers to Russia other than to say that we know that Russia and North Korea have this burgeoning relationship, that they have provided capabilities, to include munitions, to Russia for employment in Ukraine, which, again, demonstrates the fact that North Korea is complicit in this illegal Russian invasion," he said.

"It's something that we're keeping a very close eye on," he added.

Asked to comment on North Korea's recent showcase of what it calls "suicide drones," Ryder said he does not have anything to offer.

Earlier this month, the North's state media reported that its leader Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony to mark the transfer of new tactical missile launchers to front-line units, describing them as "new pivotal attack" weapons.

On Monday (Korea time), South Korea's National Intelligence Service expressed skepticism over the North's ability to supply missiles for the hundreds of new front-line launchers, lawmakers said, noting that the North's military production system has been running to supply Russia with weapons.

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