"A large power is now dependent on him. That hasn't happened in a while. The second thing he gains is the possibility of access to more oil. At the moment that Kim Jong Un is testing his 3ballistic missiles, particularly the 4long-range ones, many of which have design 5commonalitieswith Russian missiles, he can get a lot of help there."

U. S. officials believe Moscow could receive multiple types of 6munitions from Pyongyang in any arms deal, which could be used 7on the front lines in Ukraine. The Biden administration believes North Korea already delivered 8infantry rockets and missiles for use by Russian 9mercenary force Wagner late last year. 

"Russia and North Korea have something in common 10interoperability of 11conventional weapons. For example, North Korea's 152mm 12artillery ammunition and 122mm 13multiple rocket launcher ammunition can be used on Russian weapons immediately."

U.S. officials assess Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin this month. There is an 14Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok next week. Letters of support have been exchanged between the two leaders. Russia's 15defense minister, Sergei Shuigu, was given the red carpet treatment by Kim in Pyongyang in July. The North's military capabilities were on full display. And South Korea's intelligence agency says a second Russian 16delegation visited at the start of August. By August 8th, the Russian plane is believed to have transferred unknown 17military supplies from Pyongyang, no evidence or destination given. Pyongyang and Moscow 18deny any potential arms deal.