INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
North Korea said Tuesday that claims by the United States that Pyongyang is supplying artillery ammunition to Moscow for its war in Ukraine
weapons tests last week -- including an intercontinental ballistic missile -- as the United States and South Korea conducted their
biggest-ever air force exercise.The United States and South Korea have warned that the North's repeated recent missile launches could
culminate in a nuclear test.Tuesday's statement refuted allegations last week by White House national security spokesman John Kirby, who
persistently spreading a groundless 'rumor of arms dealings' between the DPRK and Russia," North Korea's vice director of military foreign
affairs of the Ministry of National Defence said in a statement, according to KCNAThe statement said North Korea sees the "rumor" as part of
the United States' "hostile attempt to tarnish the image of the DPRK in the international arena," using an acronym for North Korea's
official name."We once again make clear that we have never had 'arms dealings' with Russia and that we have no plan to do so in the future,"
the statement added.Kirby had said US officials did not know whether Russia has actually received the ammunition, but were trying to monitor
the shipments.US information indicates that North Korea "is covertly supplying Russia's war in Ukraine with a significant number of
artillery shells, while obfuscating the real destination of the arms shipments by trying to make it appear as though they are being sent to
number of shells sent are enough to help Russia prolong the war -- which started with Moscow's invasion of its former Soviet neighbor in
September Pyongyang denied a White House claim that it was planning to provide ammunition to help the Russian military replenish its
stockpiles, which have been severely depleted by the now eight-month-old war.Kirby said the shipments were "a sign of Russia's own defence
article shortages and needs" as they face international sanctions limiting their re-stocking abilities, which he said is also the reason for
would consult allies and partners, especially at the United Nations, on what measures might be taken.North Korea's latest admonition against
the United States came only a day after its previous repudiation, with Pyongyang on Monday vowing a "resolute and overwhelming" military
