Washington accuses North Korea of ​​arming Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, Pyongyang denies

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pose for a photo during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia April 25, 2019. REUTERS - POOL

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According to the White House, North Korea would have delivered weapons to the Wagner group, in order to help the Russian paramilitary organization in its actions in Ukraine.

The two parties concerned deny Washington's accusations as a whole, while the UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from importing or exporting weapons.

This new information underscores the role of the two Koreas in supplying the war in Ukraine.

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The information was revealed by the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, reports 

, RFI correspondent in the United States.

According to John Kirby, North Korea recently delivered shells, missiles and ammunition to

.

And according to him, other deliveries are planned.

He thus warns against the rise in power of this paramilitary group on the ground of the war against Ukraine.

According to John Kirby, Wagner currently has 50,000 men deployed on Ukrainian soil: 10,000 mercenaries and 40,000 men recruited from Russian prisons.

Abuses

This is not the first time that Wagner has been in Washington's sights.

The group is often

in conflict zones and of serving Vladimir Putin's interests behind the scenes.

John Kirby warned that the White House intended to take action against the group, which, for its part, denied having received North Korean weapons.

► To read also: A documentary delves into the functioning of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner

Pyongyang for its part denounces “

” invented “

”, relays our correspondent in Seoul,

.

Pyongyang's response to accusations of supplying arms to Russia and the Wagner Group couldn't be clearer.

However, it has been many months that significant

hangs over North Korea.

Washington had first claimed that Russia was considering turning to Kim Jong-un for its defense needs before explaining that ammunition had been sent via the Middle East and North Africa.

But as rail traffic has resumed in recent months between Moscow and Pyongyang, the accusations are becoming more specific.

Transport of ammunition and shells by train

The Japanese media Tokyo Shimbun claimed this week that North Korea would have transported ammunition and shells by train.

These potential arms deliveries have not yet been confirmed on the ground, but remain credible given Russia's need to supply its troops and the North Korean regime's urgent need for cash.

On the side of South Korea, it is said to send only humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, but the country's arms exports have doubled this year.

And in November, several media mentioned the possibility of delivering South Korean ammunition to the United States, with the aim of then being sent to Ukraine.

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