North Korea Alleges NATO Is Preparing for War Amid Infrastructure Expansion
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, North Korea stated that NATO’s program to develop military refueling infrastructure in Europe signals the alliance’s readiness for military engagement. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) criticized the initiative, dubbed the “NATO Fuel Supply Chain Capability Plan,” which aims to connect a network spanning approximately 10,000 kilometers across Western Europe to northern and eastern European nations.
Pyongyang asserted that the implementation of such a project indicates NATO’s transformation into a more offensive military bloc. NATO, conversely, maintains that the program’s objective is to bolster the deterrence capabilities and defensive capacity of its member states following the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
North Korea has previously voiced strong criticism of military cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and other countries, including NATO members. Relations between Pyongyang and Moscow have intensified since the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024, which includes a mutual defense commitment.
Reports indicate that North Korea dispatched approximately 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024 to support the Russian army in countering Ukrainian forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the Korean forces engaged in the Ukraine conflict as “heroes” and lauded the high level of military cooperation between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed last Saturday that Russia is preparing to receive an additional 30,000 military personnel from North Korea. Zelensky stated that preparations for the transfer of these forces began in Russia’s Voronezh region in June. He also alleged that Pyongyang is ready to send more ballistic missile launchers to Russia.
The Ukrainian President added that the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is not only a threat to Ukraine but also poses a risk to Asian countries within the range of North Korean missiles, as Russia shares wartime experiences and aids in upgrading Pyongyang’s weaponry.
