The White House has repeatedly criticized North Korea for providing arms support to the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization that commits atrocities in the Ukraine war. There are concerns that Russia is also strengthening military cooperation with Iran by exchanging arms. Reporter Jo Sang-jin reports.
The White House has reaffirmed North Korea’s supply of arms to the Wagner Group, a private Russian mercenary involved in the war in Ukraine, while criticizing Iran’s military cooperation with Russia.
White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said in an online briefing on the 24th, “At this moment, the Russian private mercenary company Wagner is committing atrocities and human rights violations across Ukraine and is still mobilizing prisoners in a war for plunder. ’ North Korea provided weapons.”
[녹취: 커비 조정관] “Meanwhile, North Korea has provided arms to the Russian private military contractor Wagner, which is committing atrocities and human rights abuses even as we speak across Ukraine and still throwing convict bodies at the fight over back loot.”
The White House has been strongly criticizing the situation of military cooperation, such as arms deals between Russia, North Korea, and Iran, which continues the invasion of Ukraine.
Coordinator Kirby also expressed concern at the briefing that day, saying, “We have additional information that Iran’s support for the Russian war is expanding.”
[녹취: 커비 조정관] “We have additional information that Iran support for Russia’s war is expanding. In November Iran shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia for use in Ukraine. Russia is planning to cooperate with Iran to obtain more military equipment. In return, Russia has been offering Iran unprecedented defense cooperation including on missiles, electronics and air defense.”
Specifically, it said, “In November of last year, Iran sent artillery and tank guns to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.”
“Russia plans to cooperate with Iran to obtain more military equipment, and in return Russia is offering Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including missiles, electronic equipment and air defense,” he explained.
In particular, “We believe that Russia may provide fighter jets to Iran,” he added.
[녹취: 커비 조정관] “We believe that Russia might provide Iran with Fighter jets. Iran is also seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia including attack helicopters, radars and combat trainer Yak-130. In total Iran is seeking billions of dollars-worth of military equipment from Russia.”
“Overall, Iran is trying to get billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia,” Kirby said.
This is VOA News Cho Sang-jin.
