North Korea denounces report by watchdog group on military collaboration between North Korea and Russia
In the Spotlight: multilateral efforts to curb North Korea's illicit activities
The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) was unveiled in October 2024, a joint initiative by eleven UN Member States—Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, and United States. This dynamic team is dedicated to scrutinizing any violations or evasions of sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The MSMT's establishment came about following Russia's veto, which resulted in the dismantling of the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee Panel of Experts in April 2024[1][2].
Shedding Light on North Korea-Russia Military Ties
In its inaugural report, published in May 2025, the MSMT zeroed in on the clandestine military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Key findings revealed:
- Mutual Support in Arms and Troops: North Korea has been providing Russia with military hardware and troop reinforcements, bolstering Russia's offensive against Ukraine, in open defiance of UN sanctions[4][5].
- Russia's Aid to DPRK: In response, Russia has been supplying North Korea with cutting-edge military technology, such as air defense systems, anti-aircraft missiles, and electronic warfare systems. In addition, Russia offered refined oil and technical advice to aid North Korea's ballistic missile guidance[5].
- Dodging UN restrictions: Both nations have been skillfully bypassing UN sanctions, transporting arms and weaponry through intricate networks that evade the imposed restrictions. This shadowy cooperation has strengthened Russia's missile capabilities against Ukraine and advanced North Korea's prohibited ballistic missile programs[2][4].
- Persistent Collaboration: The report suggests that this covert military alliance between North Korea and Russia is likely to persist in the near future[5].
These revelations expose substantial breaches of UN sanctions and underscore the ongoing struggle to enforce these regulations diligently.
[1] South China Morning Post. (2024, April 24). Russia Vetoes UN Resolution to extend nuclear sanctions experts' mandate on North Korea. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3184529/russia-vetoes-un-resolution-extending-nuclear-sanctions-experts
[2] Reuters. (2024, October 16). U.S., allies establish North Korea sanctions monitoring team. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-allies-continue-monitor-n-korean-sanctions-after-un-panel-disbands-sources-2024-10-16/
[3] North Korean Economy Watch. (2025, May 28). MSMT: North Korea's Sanctions Evasion and Military Collaboration with Russia. Retrieved from https://www.nkeconomywatch.com/news/msmt-north-koreas-sanctions-evasion-and-military-collaboration-with-russia/
[4] Asia Times. (2025, May 31). North Korea's military exports to Russia are oiling Moscow's technological prowess. Retrieved from https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/north-koreas-military-exports-to-russia-are-oiling-moscows-technological-prowess/
[5] CNN. (2025, June 5). North Korea, Russia's secret love affair. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/world/asia/north-korea-russia-military-collaboration-special-report/index.html
International attention is focused on the clandestine military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as revealed in the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team's (MSMT) inaugural report. The report highlights policy-and-legislation breaches, with both nations reportedly dodging UN restrictions to transport arms and weaponry, strengthening Russia's missile capabilities against Ukraine and advancing North Korea's prohibited ballistic missile programs. This persistent collaboration is a significant concern in the realm of general-news and politics.
