Russia has succeeded in improving the accuracy of the KN-23 missiles supplied by North Korea, according to Ukraine’s intelligence chief.
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, told South Korean newspaper The Chosun that the missile system initially posed little threat to Ukrainian troops due to its “very low” accuracy.
He claimed that early versions of the KN-23 sent to Moscow had an error margin of up to 1,500 meters (4,921 feet).
However, Russian engineers have made substantial technical improvements, significantly enhancing the missile’s precision and transforming it into a much greater threat.
Though Budanov did not specify the exact modifications, he stated that the upgraded missile now poses a significant risk to both South Korea and Japan.
“North Korea is using this war to gain combat experience and modernize its military technology,” he said. “This will have long-term consequences for the security system in the Asia-Pacific region.”
‘Highest Level of Cooperation’
The growing defense collaboration between Russia and North Korea is part of a mutual defense treaty signed in mid-2024, which commits both nations to military support in case of an attack.
Reports indicate that Pyongyang has sent over 11,000 troops to assist Russian forces on the frontlines in Ukraine, along with “tons of weapons and military equipment.”
Budanov warned that the cooperation between the two countries is now at its “highest level,” posing a serious threat to the international community.
He further explained that Pyongyang’s military support is granting it valuable direct combat experience, which could be leveraged in the event of a full-scale conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
“Their combat effectiveness has improved dramatically — not only with conventional weapons like tanks but also with advanced systems such as drones,” Budanov noted. “The future North Korean army will completely differ from the previous one.”
