Executive Summary

Since late 2023, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has provided Russia with ballistic missiles to support its war against Ukraine. The ongoing use of these missiles in combat has inadvertently created a real-world testing environment for Pyongyang’s expanding missile capabilities. This report assesses the implications of this dynamic, highlighting recent evidence of improved missile accuracy and potential advancements in DPRK missile technology derived from battlefield experience and likely Russian assistance. Using Ukrainian territory as a testing ground poses significant risks to regional stability and the future proliferation of DPRK weaponry.