SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reportedly revealed that it believes North Korea shipped over a million artillery shells to Russia since August to support Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in Ukraine. The revelation came during a closed-door briefing held on Wednesday with intelligence officials, according to lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum.

North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their partnership amidst separate confrontations with the United States, raising concerns about a potential arms arrangement between the two countries. The countries' diplomatic efforts, highlighted by a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin in September, have sparked worries about North Korea supplying munitions to Russia in exchange for advanced military technology.

Despite claims by the United States and South Korea, both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied any arms transfer from North Korea to Russia.

According to Yoo Sang-bum, the NIS believes that North Korea has transported the artillery shells via ships and other means of transport since early August as part of efforts to bolster Russia's warfighting capabilities in Ukraine. These shells would account for approximately two months' worth of supplies for the Russian military.

The NIS further suggests that North Korea has been operating its munitions factories at full capacity and mobilizing residents to meet the demands for Russian munitions. There are also indications that North Korea sent weapons experts to Russia in October to provide guidance on how to effectively utilize the exported weapons.

While the NIS did not confirm Yoo's account of the meeting, it is worth noting that the agency faces challenges in tracking developments in North Korea due to Pyongyang's tight control of information.

One of the major concerns in South Korea is the potential transfer of sensitive Russian technologies that could enhance North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile program. However, Yoo stated that the NIS believes that Russia's assistance is more likely to be limited to conventional capabilities. This could potentially include efforts to enhance and modernize North Korea's aging fleet of fighter aircraft.

Additionally, it is speculated that North Korea may be receiving technological assistance from Russia as it prepares to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite. Despite consecutive launch failures in recent months, the NIS suggests that North Korea is in the final phase of its preparations for a successful third launch.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly emphasized the importance of space-based reconnaissance capabilities for monitoring U.S. and South Korean military activities, as well as enhancing the threat posed by their nuclear-capable missiles. The choice of meeting Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a major satellite launch facility in the Russian Far East, indicates Kim's interest in seeking Russian assistance in spy satellite technology.

It is crucial to note that United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korean satellite launches, as they are considered a cover for testing long-range ballistic missile technologies.

In response to these revelations, the United States, South Korea, and Japan issued a joint statement on October 26 strongly condemning North Korea's alleged supply of munitions and military equipment to Russia. The statement expressed deep concern over the increased human toll resulting from Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

This joint statement followed Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's denial of U.S. claims regarding munitions supplies during his return from a visit to Pyongyang. The White House had previously accused North Korea of delivering more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia, supported by released images showing the loading of containers onto a Russian-flagged ship, followed by transport via train to southwestern Russia.