North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to backing Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to recent reports from state media.
A Russian military delegation, spearheaded by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, arrived in North Korea against the backdrop of escalating global concerns about the deepening ties between these two nations. Previously, North Korea’s contribution of thousands of troops to Russia had already sparked international apprehension.
In a meeting held last Friday, Kim and Belousov discussed strategies to strengthen their strategic partnership. They reached a mutually satisfactory agreement to bolster each nation’s sovereignty and security interests in the face of dynamic international security conditions, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim Jong Un emphasized North Korea’s unwavering support for Russia’s policy to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst what Pyongyang describes as imperialist hegemonic threats. He labeled NATO’s expansion and U.S. actions as provocations, aligning North Korea’s stance with Moscow’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict.
The North Korean leader also criticized a U.S. decision to permit Ukraine to target sites within Russia using U.S.-supplied missiles, which he viewed as a direct intervention in the ongoing conflict. He praised recent Russian strikes on Ukraine as timely and effective demonstrations of Russia’s determination.
Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian sources indicate that North Korea has provided over 10,000 troops to fight on Russian soil, with some already engaging on the frontlines. In addition, North Korea is believed to have dispatched artillery systems, missiles, and other conventional weaponry to aid Russia’s depleted arsenal.
Interestingly, both North Korea and Russia have not officially acknowledged these troop movements or weapon shipments. However, there is growing concern that Russia may offer North Korea advanced weapons technology as compensation, potentially enhancing North Korean nuclear capabilities.
Furthermore, South Korea’s national security adviser, Shin Wonsik, recently indicated that Russian air defense missile systems might have been supplied to North Korea, alongside economic aid and other military technologies to support North Korea’s space-based surveillance ambitions.
The recent visit also included discussions between Belousov and North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol, where both sides emphasized the importance of their strategic alliance to counter external threats. The two countries had previously signed a defense treaty obligating military assistance if either nation was attacked, marking a significant agreement since the Cold War.
North Korea’s explicit support for Russia amid the Ukraine conflict and the increasing military cooperation between the two nations signal a shifting dynamic in international relations that continues to draw global scrutiny.
Source: APNews
