North Korea Reaffirms Support for Russia amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Kim Jong Un expressed staunch support for Russia’s Ukraine war in talks with Sergei Shoigu, reaffirming mutual defense commitments. The meeting, amidst troop deployments to Russia, demonstrates significant military cooperation. Both nations seek benefits amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, with North Korea ramping up military capabilities and responses to regional drills.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during discussions with Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, in Pyongyang, as reported by North Korean state media on March 22. This meeting follows assessments by South Korean intelligence suggesting North Korea has sent additional troops to Russia amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.

During the dialogue, Kim and Shoigu addressed various matters, including the situation in Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to a mutual defense treaty established in their prior summit, ensuring support if either nation faces hostile acts. Kim expressed, “We will invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending … security interests” – North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency.

Shoigu conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin and stressed ongoing cooperation on critical geopolitical matters, including the conflict in Ukraine. While the meetings focused on mutual support, there was no confirmation of new agreements following Shoigu’s departure from Pyongyang.

Intelligence officials from the US and South Korea noted that North Korea has been providing substantial conventional weapons to Russia and sent a contingent of troops, estimated between 10,000 to 12,000 last fall. South Korean media also reported that the newly deployed North Korean soldiers ranged between 1,000 to 3,000, indicating an increase in military collaboration.

Analysts suspect that North Korea’s support for Russia is strategically calculated to gain economic and military favors from Moscow before the future resolution of the conflict. Shoigu’s visit may also be a preparatory step for Kim Jong Un’s prospective visit to Russia. Previous interactions included Kim showcasing North Korean military capabilities, which have been perceived internationally as attempts to strengthen military sales prospects.

Earlier this week, Kim oversaw the launch tests of new anti-aircraft missiles, describing them as critical for national defense as North Korea continues its weapons development amid US-South Korean military drills that it interprets as threats. Such military activities often prompt North Korea’s own weapons tests in response, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.

In summary, Kim Jong Un’s discussions with Sergei Shoigu highlight North Korea’s resolute support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The dialogue reinforced mutual commitments to defense against aggression and underscored the strategic military collaboration between North Korea and Russia. As both nations continue to navigate their geopolitical interests, North Korea’s military capabilities and support for Russia will likely shape future interactions in this complex relationship.

Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com