North Korea’s Kim Offers Unconditional Support for Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has promised ‘unconditional support’ for Russia’s actions in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. This meeting follows North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia and discussions about enhancing their strategic alliance. Both nations are exploring ways to support each other militarily and rebuild partnership ties amid the ongoing conflict.
On Thursday, state media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged his country’s “unconditional support” for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. This statement comes amid increasing signs of cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the military domain, as relationships between the sharp-shifting international powers appear to deepen.
In April, North Korea acknowledged for the first time that its troops were deployed to Russia, indicating soldiers from both nations were collaborating to counter Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region. President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea’s involvement at that time, recognizing their sacrifices in the ongoing conflict.
During a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Kim reiterated that North Korea stands firmly behind Russia’s foreign policies, especially regarding Ukraine. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the discussions included ways to further enhance their strategic alliance, detailing also their agreement on the Ukraine situation and other global challenges, though specifics were not provided.
The Russian state agency Tass reported ongoing talks included plans for rebuilding the Kursk region and measures to honor the contributions of North Korean soldiers. In a clear contrast, Ukraine maintains it still has forces active in the Kursk area, with army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi affirming that Ukrainian troops are indeed holding ground in that region despite Russia’s claims of complete control.
This interaction follows Shoigu’s previous visit to North Korea back in March, highlighting the burgeoning relationship. While the exact number of North Korean soldiers in Russia remains undisclosed, reports from intelligence sources suggest that North Korea could have sent between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia last fall, marking a significant return to active military involvement since the Korean War of the early ’50s. More recently, South Korean authorities indicated that North Korea dispatched about 3,000 additional troops early this year.
In addition to deploying troops, North Korea has been supplying Russia with significant quantities of conventional arms, raising concerns among U.S. and South Korean officials. They speculate that in exchange, Russia may be providing North Korea with both economic and military aid, potentially transferring advanced technology to bolster Pyongyang’s nuclear weapon capabilities, aimed ultimately at their regional adversaries.
The pledges of support between North Korea and Russia illustrate a significant deepening of their military cooperation, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The discussions led by Kim and Shoigu reflect both countries’ commitment to solidify their strategic partnership and highlight the precarious nature of international relations amid the war. With North Korean troops actively involved in the conflict, there are increasing concerns about the potential technological assistance Russia may provide to support North Korea’s military advancements.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
