Illegal Collaboration Between Russia and North Korea 

and Kim Jong-un’s International Criminal Responsibility

SAND Column

The Ukraine-Russia war has strengthened the illicit alliance between Russia and North Korea, with North Korea supplying large quantities of lethal weapons and acting as a logistics hub for Russia.

Since August 2023, North Korea has reportedly sent over 13,000 containers filled with deadly weapons to Russia through about 70 shipments. These arms have not been limited to military use but have also been employed to deliberately target civilians, ringing alarm bells across the global community.

Earlier this year, in February, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) revealed that Russia had deployed North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles, killing 24 civilians and injuring more than 100. In August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that these missiles had claimed civilian lives, including those of children, calling for global attention. Evidence clearly demonstrates that North Korea’s arms are facilitating war crimes.

More alarming, however, is the disclosure that North Korea has sent troops to Russia. Recent reports confirm the deployment of roughly 10,000 elite soldiers from North Korea’s “Storm Corps,” who are expected to join the frontlines soon. This development signifies a dangerous shift from providing weapons to direct military intervention, making the Russia-North Korea collaboration a pivotal factor in prolonging and exacerbating the Ukraine conflict.

The international community must take decisive action to counter North Korea’s illegal wartime assistance. One potential measure is to refer Kim Jong-un to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC prosecutes individuals for crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. The court has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and key officials for crimes committed in Ukraine. It is now Kim Jong-un’s turn.

Given that North Korean-supplied weapons have directly caused civilian casualties, this may constitute a violation under Article 25(3) of the ICC’s Rome Statute, which addresses aiding and abetting crimes. Former ICC President Song Sang-hyun emphasized that North Korea’s arms transfers clearly breach international law and warrant Kim Jong-un’s prosecution for war crimes.

Referring Kim Jong-un to the ICC would carry implications beyond mere legal accountability. North Korea’s escalating actions, from arms shipments to troop deployment, pose a direct threat to global peace. The international community and ICC member states must not condone these crimes and must act to defend liberty and peace.

The Kim Jong-un regime operates as a one-man dictatorship. Holding Kim accountable could undermine the North Korean system and provide its citizens—long subjected to relentless propaganda—a chance to face reality. Moreover, a unified global response would demonstrate that peace and justice are achievable and worth fighting for.

The ICC must swiftly investigate Kim Jong-un’s war crimes to uphold the Rome Statute and reaffirm its purpose. The international community can no longer remain passive—now is the time to act.