US voices concerns over NK support for Russia prolonging war in Ukraine

Department of Defense deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh answers questions during a daily press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington in this captured Aug, 29, 2023 file photo. Yonhap

A Pentagon spokesperson expressed concerns Thursday that North Korea's arms support to Russia would prolong the war in Ukraine, as additional U.S. military aid to the war-torn country has been stalled amid a political logjam.

Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh made the remarks as the U.S. has revealed Pyongyang supplied Moscow with several dozen ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, in addition to its earlier supplies of military equipment and munitions.

"We are very concerned about the relationship between Russia and the DPRK. It speaks to Russia that they have to seek support when it comes to funding their own capabilities from countries like Iran ... the DPRK," she told a press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The continuing funding, the continuing support of these countries does prolong the war. That is something that we are concerned about," she added.

Regarding a question of whether the Pentagon downplayed the impact of the North's initial support for Russia, Singh said she did not remember the Pentagon ever suggesting that the North's aid to Russia was not that big of a deal.

"I think it's a concern when other countries are providing Russia with munitions that are killing Ukrainians and innocent Ukrainian civilians," she said. "I think we've always said that's been a big concern of ours."

Asked if the U.S. has knowledge of additional arms shipments from the North to Russia, she said she has nothing to announce. (Yonhap)