Kim Jong-un looks to support Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war

North Korea's Kim Jong-un seems to be trying his hand at international diplomacy by mobilising support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas showdown. South Korea's National Intelligence Agency (NIS) spilled the beans during a 2023 audit and the move is seen as an attempt to capitalise on the ongoing conflict and potentially strengthen North Korea's position in the international arena.

What

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, North Korea's Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, appears to be quietly mobilising support for Palestine. The revelation came during a 2023 audit by South Korea's National Assembly, where NIS director Kim Kyou-hyun disclosed the North Korean leader's alleged efforts to back Palestine.  

• North Korea isn't exactly the go-to address for international peacemaking. Still, when it comes to supplying support, they've got some experience under their belt. 
• It has had a history of providing support to Palestinian-Islamist militant group Hamas, having already supplied anti tank rocket launchers to Hamas in the past.
• Now they're apparently considering a sequel to that arms-export extravaganza amidst the chaos in Gaza.

Notably, North Korea does not recognise the legitmacy of the state of Israel.

South Korea spooked

South Korean lawmakers, following a briefing by the intelligence agency, raised concerns that Pyongyang might seek to export more weapons to Hamas amid the escalating tensions in Gaza. 

• South Korea's military analysts have pointed out that Hamas has been observed using various North Korean weapons in the conflict, based on photographic and video evidence. 
• The chief of the South Korean spy service emphasized to lawmakers that North Korea's involvement in arms trades with militant groups is a genuine concern. 

North Korea, however, vehemently denies these allegations.

Russian aid

In a related development, it was suggested that Russia might have provided technology to North Korea that could enhance its ability to successfully launch a spy satellite. 

• North Korea had faced two failed attempts earlier in the year. This hints at the possibility of increased collaboration between North Korea and Russia, which is a matter of concern for global security.

Let's not forget that North Korea already has its hands full with other international arms shipments, including sending artillery shells and weapons to Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

• Artillery shells and other weapons have been transported by sea from North Korea to Russia about a dozen times since August, and these supplies are estimated to be substantial enough to support Russia's war efforts for at least two months. North Korea appears to be operating its factories at maximum capacity to maintain this supply chain.