Ukrainian Defence Intelligence (DIU) chief Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov has revealed that Russian experts have made key modifications to North Korea’s KN-23 missile, transforming it into a much more accurate and lethal weapon. 

In an interview with South Korea’s The Chosun, Budanov said that originally, the KN-23 missile had a low level of accuracy, with a margin of error ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters. 

However, Russian specialists have improved the missile’s precision, resulting in a weapon that poses a far greater threat.

“Initially, its accuracy was severely flawed, with an error margin of 500 to 1,500 meters,” he said. “But Russian missile experts made technical modifications, resolving the issue. The missile is now significantly more precise and a far greater threat.” 

The modifications to the KN-23 missile are part of a broader pattern of growing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea. 

According to the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence (DIU) chief, this partnership is deepening in areas of technology, science, and industry, reaching what he described as the “highest level.”  

He warned that this cooperation poses a serious and escalating threat to the international community as it strengthens North Korea’s military capabilities. 

Budanov also provided an overview of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict. Despite losing about 4,000 soldiers in the war (both killed and seriously wounded), North Korean forces continue to engage in joint operations with Russian troops. 

The general noted a marked increase in the presence of North Korean artillery on the front lines. 

“As we introduce new technologies—such as drones and electronic warfare—Russian forces develop countermeasures, and we, in turn, create new tactics to overcome them,” the official said. “North Korean troops are observing and adapting to these changes in real-time.” 

The DIU chief also stressed that North Korea is using its involvement in the war not only to gain valuable combat experience but also to modernize its military technology. These advancements, propelled by its collaboration with Russia, will likely have long-term consequences for the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Regarding potential military cooperation between South Korea and Ukraine, Budanov highlighted the common strategic interests shared by both nations. 

“Both Ukraine and South Korea face the same enemy—North Korea,” the DIU chief stated. “South Korea possesses decades of intelligence on North Korea, which would be incredibly valuable to us.” 

He pointed out, however, that South Korea has not engaged in direct, large-scale combat with North Korean forces since the Korean War of 1950-53.

Ukraine is currently experiencing that firsthand. Sharing intelligence and battlefield experience would benefit both sides. Budanov expressed his hope for stronger cooperation between the two countries in the future.

North Korea’s KN-23 Missile (Hwasong-11A) 

North Korea first tested the KN-23 missile in May 2019 from the Wonsan region. It is designed to evade missile defenses by flying on a lower, “depressed” trajectory, which reduces its detection by radar. 

The KN-23 has a range of 800-900 km. Russia began deploying the KN-23 missile against Ukrainian targets in early 2024, and by the end of the year, more than 60 of these North Korean missiles, also known as Hwasong-11A, had been fired at Ukraine.

In November 2024, a US-based think tank revealed, through satellite imagery, that North Korea was expanding a weapons plant responsible for manufacturing both the KN-23 (Hwasong-11A) and the KN-24 (Hwasong-11B) missiles, which Russia has used in the war against Ukraine. 

This expansion included the construction of a new missile assembly building, estimated to be 60% to 70% the size of the original facility.

Additionally, CNN previously reported that the guidance systems of the KN-23 missiles appear to incorporate components made by Western manufacturers despite ongoing sanctions against North Korea. 

Nine Western companies, including those based in the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, supply key parts of the missile. This highlights the continued flow of crucial technology into North Korea’s missile programs, even in the face of international sanctions.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies said that although the KN-23 is North Korean in design, its resemblance to Russia’s Iskander-M missile goes beyond superficial appearances. 

Both missiles share similar flight characteristics, such as operating on depressed and quasi-ballistic trajectories, a design choice that enhances their ability to bypass traditional missile defense systems. 

While the KN-23 may not offer the same level of evasive maneuverability as the Iskander-M or appear to have penetration aids, its deployment still presents a key challenge for Ukraine’s ballistic missile defense systems.

Initially, the KN-23’s accuracy was a major issue. However, with Russia now making technical modifications to these missiles, it is reasonable to assume that they may also share their improvements with North Korea. 

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