Pyongyang (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that his nation was prepared to “unconditionally support” Russia’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, during high-level strategic discussions between the two countries, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday.
The North Korean leader met with the Russian Foreign Minister in Wonsan, a city on the eastern coast. This meeting followed their second strategic discussion between their foreign ministers, during which they committed to expanding collaboration under a partnership accord signed last year, which also encompasses a mutual security agreement.
What was discussed during Lavrov’s meeting with Kim?
As reported by KCNA, the meeting covered a wide range of perspectives between the leaders of both countries on important issues, aiming to safeguard shared core interests and boost cooperation in several fields.
North Korean leader told Russian diplomat that the actions taken by the partners in reaction to rapidly developing global geopolitics will contribute greatly to securing peace and security around the world. He also stated that the two nations
“share the same views on all strategic matters in a manner befitting the level of their collaboration,”
highlighting the strong strategic relationship between them.
“Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) is ready to unconditionally support and encourage all the measures taken by the Russian leadership as regards the tackling of the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis,”
KCNA reported.
What did Lavrov say about their strategic partnership?
On Saturday, Reuters reported that in his meeting with Kim, he described the two countries’ relationship as “an invincible fighting brotherhood” and expressed gratitude for the troops sent to Russia.
The ministry quoted Lavrov as saying that the visit marked the continuation of a “strategic dialogue” between the two sides, which was started by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea last year.
“We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis … Our Korean friends confirmed their firm support for all the objectives of the special military operation, as well as for the actions of the Russian leadership and armed forces,”
Lavrov said.
How has the Russia-North Korea defence cooperation evolved recently?
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia and North Korea’s relationship has rapidly intensified. North Korea has openly supported Moscow’s military operation by sending more than 10,000 troops, as well as providing arms, which marks a level of military cooperation that has never been seen before.
In addition to troop deployments, North Korea has delivered artillery shells, missiles, and other military equipment to Russia, allowing Moscow to continue its war amid sanctions and a severe lack of arms. In the more wider sense, Russia is likely sharing new military technologies with North Korea, which may upgrade Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear capabilities.
Moreover, Kim Jong-un has pledged to send approximately 6,000 military engineers and construction workers to assist with reconstruction in Russia’s Kursk region, Reuters reported. The planned deployment to the Kursk region is expected to be approximately 6,000 North Korean military engineers and builders, western Russia, located near the border of Ukraine and Belarus.
The main objective of these personnel is to facilitate infrastructure rebuilding and repair efforts after military operations and associated damage in the area. This may involve rebuilding roads, bridges, buildings, and other assets of vital infrastructure.
