Pyongyang, North Korea – On Friday, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko led a military delegation to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. The two parties convened at the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea to discuss mutual security interests and potential collaboration on various aspects of military affairs, according to state-run KCNA news agency.
During this meeting, Kim Jong-un extended his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people, reaffirming North Korea’s strong support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The North Korean leader emphasized that “invariable strong support for and firm solidarity with them over the special military operation in Ukraine” would remain steadfast.
Kim also highlighted the importance of further collaboration between the two nations’ armies, stating that such cooperation would play a vital role in upholding regional and global peace, as well as defending international justice. The North Korean leader also underscored the significance of June’s Pyongyang summit when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea.
North Korea’s support for Moscow has been notable amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which escalated in 2022. Both the United States and South Korea have accused North Korea of sending missiles and artillery ammunition to Russia, an allegation that both Pyongyang and Moscow have refuted. The Russian Foreign Ministry has dismissed any claims of “illegal military-technological cooperation with the DPRK” as “baseless.
Last month, a security pact was signed between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin during their summit in Pyongyang. This agreement laid the foundation for future ties in various fields such as culture, tourism, trade, economics, and security. Among its provisions is a clause stating that the two countries will come to each other’s defense in the event of either being attacked and in a state of war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded to any objections to this clause by saying that “only those who plan aggression against the DPRK or the Russian Federation can object to this clause.
As North Korea continues to assert its support for Russia, it remains essential for both countries to maintain and strengthen their military cooperation in order to defend regional and global peace. The Pyongyang summit signified a renewed commitment between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin to work together on various fronts, including security, thus solidifying their alliance in the face of ongoing international tensions.