It has been discovered that there are missile remnants marked with North Korean-script in Ukraine. This discovery indicates that Russia may be using North Korean ballistic missiles, such as the KN-23 or KN-24, in the current conflict with Ukraine. Such a move could undermine global efforts of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a UK-based institute, has released a document that sheds light on the presence of North Korean missiles in Ukraine. According to the report, evidence suggests that some ballistic missiles that fell in Ukraine had originated from N. Korea, as they were found to have Korean script markings.
The CAR analyzed the remnants of a ballistic missile that Russia had launched towards Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Feb. 2. The analysis revealed that handwriting appeared to be the Korean character ‘ㅈ(jieut)’ was written on the missile wreckage.
It was preceded by numbers and symbols, like a serial number.
The institute has found the number ‘112′ on parts of the missile debris. According to North Korea’s calendar system, the Juche calendar, this number may indicate the year 2023. The Juche calendar starts with the birth of Kim Il-Sung, the founder of North Korea, and is named after the Juche ideology. Alternatively, it could refer to a military factory called the ‘February 11 Factory’ under the Ryongsong Machine Complex.
CAR, in addition to the numerical markings, compared the shape of the missile remnants, including the rocket motor, jet vanes for thrust direction control, and the pattern of bolt connections, to photographs of North Korean short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) KN-23 and KN-24. The institute discovered similarities in these comparisons.
Based on their assumption, it is possible that the missile used by Russia in Kharkiv was either a North Korean KN-23 or KN-24. However, they were unable to make a more precise estimation. The missile’s lower diameter was measured to be 110 cm, which is slightly larger than the Russian Iskander missile’s 95 cm diameter. The Iskander missile is often regarded as the prototype for the KN-23.
The institute has made a comment on their findings, revealing that “N. Korean missiles were used in Ukraine, indicating Russia’s intent to continue the war in Ukraine, even if it means undermining the non-proliferation regime.” The non-proliferation regime is a worldwide framework of agreements and organizations aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, and contributing to the progress of arms control and disarmament.
Previously, on Jan. 4, the U.S. government had previously announced that Russia used ballistic missiles obtained from N. Korea in its attacks on Ukraine. Military authorities from S. Korea and the U.S. speculated that the missile used was most likely the KN-23.
