After months of speculation about North Korean artillery and troops being used in Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, it now appears that Kim Jong Un is expanding a key weapons manufacturing complex. Experts surmise it is also likely one that has been used to supply ballistic weapons for Putin’s army. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.
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00:00Over the last year, Russia has bolstered its relationship with North Korea,
00:03with Putin's regime aiding the North's launching of spy satellites into orbit.
00:08Now, after months of speculation about North Korean artillery and troops being used in
00:12Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine, it now appears that Kim Jong-un is expanding
00:16a key weapons manufacturing complex, one that has been used to supply ballistic weapons for
00:21Putin's army. Satellite images reveal the arms manufacturing area, called the February 11 plant,
00:27expanding according to experts. The arms facility is on the country's east coast,
00:31near its second-largest city, Hamhung, and according to a US-based think tank,
00:35additional missile assembly and worker housing buildings are currently under construction,
00:39as well as another unknown underground facility. The plant is believed to manufacture Hwasong-11
00:44class ballistic missiles, ones which use more advanced solid-state fuel. They also fly lower
00:49than traditional missiles of their kind, better evading defense systems. Ukrainian officials say
00:54that Russia has been using these munitions in their war in Eastern Europe. Pyongyang
00:58and Moscow continue to deny any such collaboration.