Jonah Leff, Director of Conflict Armament Research (CAR), presented evidence to the United Nations Security Council on Friday linking North Korean-manufactured weapons to the those found to have been launched during Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The briefing, requested by France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was conducted under the agenda item “Non-Proliferation/ Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

The briefing focused on “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK weapon transfers in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions,” including resolutions 1718, 1874, 2094, 2270, 2321, 2375, and 2397, according to remarks from UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu. Nakamitsu also said that, “The [International Atomic Energy Agency] also observed indications of the ongoing operation of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility in Yongbyon, and expansion of another facility in Kangson Complex,”

Leff’s presentation focused on CAR’s extensive documentation of weapons used in Ukraine since 2018, with a significant discovery being made in January 2024 when CAR investigators examined the remnants of a missile that hit Kharkiv. Through meticulous analysis, CAR identified distinct features of the missile, including jet actuators, bolt patterns, and Korean markings that matched North Korean-manufactured components from 2023.”Our findings irrefutably establish that the missile fired on Kharkiv was indeed of North Korean origin,” Leff asserted.

The examination revealed that internal electronics bore serial numbers and dates pointing directly to North Korean production, with characteristics unique to either the KN-23 or KN-24 missile systems. Leff stressed the broader implications of these findings, noting this case as the first public analysis directly linking weapons deployed outside of North Korea to that country’s manufacturing networks. However, complexities were highlighted due to the missile incorporating components from other nations, which emphasized North Korea’s reliance on external acquisition networks to bypass sanctions and enhance their military capabilities.

“CAR will continue monitoring the Ukraine conflict for any new developments regarding prohibited North Korean arms,” Leff said, emphasizing the role of field-based tracing approaches in enforcing UN sanctions and upholding non-proliferation norms. This briefing also underscored the need for comprehensive international efforts to restrict North Korea’s ability to distribute arms globally in adherence to UN Security Council resolutions designed to curb such activities.

This briefing comes amidst North Korea launching numerous missiles in recent months. David M. Crane, the Founding Chief Prosecutor for the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, told JURIST that a recent defense agreement between North Korea and Russia “signals a disturbing shift in the global geopolitical landscape.” South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) also said just last week that soldiers fired warning shots to repel North Korean soldiers who violated the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) by about 20 meters.