Putin’s Security Adviser Visits North Korea Amid Strengthening Ties
Russian Security Adviser Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un, reflecting strengthened security relations amid mutual defense commitments, including potential troop deployments to support Russia in Ukraine. Details of the meetings remain unclear, with both countries reportedly engaged in military assistance agreements.
Sergei Shoigu, the top security advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has arrived in North Korea for discussions with Kim Jong Un, as reported by the TASS news agency. This visit reflects the significant advancements in security ties between Russia and North Korea. However, details regarding his arrival and meetings remain undisclosed, as North Korean state media has not reported on the event.
Previously, Mr. Shoigu served as Russia’s defense minister and has visited Pyongyang during crucial moments, including when North Korea was purportedly preparing to send troops to support Russia in its conflict in Ukraine. Reports from American and South Korean officials indicate that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to the Kursk region in Russia, where heavy arms, such as artillery and ballistic missiles, have also been sent.
Since August of the previous year, Russian forces have been engaged in combat against Ukrainian advances in Kursk, striving to regain control of the region. It is believed that this military cooperation involves North Korea receiving military technology, civilian assistance, and economic aid from Russia. Both nations, however, have not publicly acknowledged the troop deployment or weapon transfers associated with the conflict in Ukraine.
Despite the silence on military actions, Pyongyang and Moscow continue to emphasize their commitment to a strategic partnership established in June 2024, which includes a mutual defense pact. This agreement necessitates reciprocal support if either country experiences an assault, highlighting the strengthening of their defense cooperation amid ongoing tensions in the region.
The visit of Sergei Shoigu to North Korea underscores the deepening security relations between Russia and North Korea. The ongoing military exchanges and strategic partnerships are critical in the context of their mutual defense pact. Despite the lack of official acknowledgment of North Korea’s military involvement in Ukraine, both countries appear to be enhancing their collaborative efforts, indicating significant geopolitical implications.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
