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Satellite imagery has captured new activity in the North Korean port of Rason, which may indicate the transfer of cargo, including military supplies, to Russia. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to ISW, Russian and North Korean state media reported that a meeting between representatives of the two countries took place in Moscow on 25 February. The meeting was attended by the head of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Andrei Klimov, the DPRK Ambassador to Russia, Sin Hong Chol, and a member of the political bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Ri Hee Yong. They discussed strengthening cooperation between the United Russia party and the Workers’ Party of Korea within the framework of the strategic partnership concluded in December 2024.
Against this backdrop, the South Korean edition of Korea JoongAng Daily, citing satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, reported on the alleged active cargo traffic between the DPRK and Russia. The images show a 110-metre-long vessel in the port of Rason near the border with China and Russia. A line of containers about 100 metres long was also seen near the pier.
According to the ISW report, on 20 February, the vessel docked on the inside of the berth, and on 21 February, it moved to the outside, which may indicate that it was unloading and loading containers before departure. Analysts note that as early as November 2023, North Korea was likely to have used this port to supply ammunition to Vladivostok.
Ukrainian intelligence has previously reported significant military traffic between Pyongyang and Moscow. According to the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, the DPRK provides Russia with 50% of all ammunition used in the war against Ukraine. It is also known that about 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia, of whom 4,000 have already left due to injury or death. Currently, 8,000 soldiers remain in the group, and another 4,000 are preparing for rotation.
The activity in the port of Rason may indicate increased military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which is a matter of concern to the international community.
