North Korea to Send Military Construction Workers, Deminers to Rebuild Russia’s Kursk Region
North Korea will dispatch 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 deminers to the Kursk region of Russia as part of growing military cooperation. This announcement came from Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu during his trip to Pyongyang, highlighting the alliance between the two nations amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a notable development, North Korea is set to send military builders and deminers to the Kursk region of Russia. This decision was reported on Tuesday by Russian news agencies during a visit by Moscow’s security chief, Sergei Shoigu, to Pyongyang. It reflects the growing alliance between the two nations amid ongoing tensions surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to RIA Novosti, Shoigu disclosed that the North is preparing to dispatch approximately 5,000 military construction workers and around 1,000 deminers to assist with reconstruction efforts. This announcement was made public during his discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Following the expulsion of invaders from Russian soil, we’ve agreed to continue our constructive cooperation, with the Korean side providing assistance in the restoration of the Kursk region,” Shoigu stated. This mention of cooperation underscores the deepening military relationship between the two countries as they navigate the current geopolitical landscape.
North Korea’s commitment includes sending troops and various conventional armaments to bolster Russia against Ukraine. In this context, Washington and Seoul have expressed concerns that North Korea might seek technological exchanges with Russia that could potentially advance its own nuclear weapons endeavors.
Earlier this month, Shoigu and Kim reportedly discussed strategies for rebuilding the Kursk region during Shoigu’s visit, marking a significant step in their ongoing cooperation. Russian state media disclosed that Shoigu was on a “special” mission from President Putin for this visit, further solidifying the nature of their discussions. However, the details of his trip were not confirmed immediately by North Korean authorities.
This military collaboration took a formal turn back in April when the two countries acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. They stated that these soldiers were actively engaged in joint operations to defend against Ukrainian advances along the Kursk border. Putin had expressed gratitude to North Korea for its involvement, highlighting the necessity of their partnership in the ongoing conflict.
In the same timeframe, reports from South Korea’s intelligence agency indicated that North Korea has incurred significant casualties, with approximately 4,700 personnel affected, including 600 fatalities. Additionally, the National Intelligence Service highlighted that about 15,000 North Korean laborers had been sent to Russia as part of cooperative industrial initiatives between the nations.
North Korea’s decision to send military personnel to Russia’s Kursk region signals a strengthening alliance between the two countries amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. With thousands of construction workers and deminers being deployed, this move underscores their commitment to mutual military support. The cooperation further raises concerns in the international community regarding potential advancements in North Korea’s nuclear capabilities through exchanges with Russia.
Original Source: www.france24.com
