Photo: BBC
North Korea says it has never sell weapons to Russia and has no plans to do so, following US reports that Moscow was turning to Pyongyang to replenish stockpiles.
In a statement on Thursday, carried by North Korean state media KCNA, an official who preferred anonymity at North Korea’s defence ministry said: “We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them.”
It accused the US, and other hostile forces of spreading rumours to pursue its base political and military aims.
According to BBC, National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby says the purchases had not yet been completed and there was no evidence to suggest the weapons would be used in the Ukraine war.
US officials had said Russia was in the process of purchasing rockets and artillery shells from North Korea.
With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Kim Jong-un’s regime has blamed the US for the conflict and accused the West of pursuing a “hegemonic policy” that justified Russia’s use of force.
Writing by Julian Osamoto; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare