North Korea to Send Military Workers and Deminers to Rebuild…

North Korea is preparing to send military construction workers and deminers to aid in rebuilding Russia’s Kursk region, as reported by Russian state media. This collaboration, which includes sending 5,000 construction workers and 1,000 deminers, showcases the deepening military partnership between the two nations amid the conflict in Ukraine. Such developments raise significant concerns regarding military resources and potential nuclear technology exchanges.

On Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported that North Korea will dispatch a considerable number of military personnel to assist in the reconstruction efforts in Russia’s Kursk region. This announcement comes amidst the strengthening of military ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly as the latter continues its involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

According to a statement from Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu, North Korea is set to send 1,000 deminers and around 5,000 military construction workers to the Kursk area. This figure highlights the significant scale of cooperation that has been developed between the two nations. Shoigu made these comments during a visit to Pyongyang where he met 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 remarked, as reported by the Russian state news agency, RIA Novosti. This quote underscores the ongoing commitment shared by both leaders towards the regional recovery.

North Korea has previously supplied Russia with military personnel and conventional weapons to support Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, further solidifying their alliance. Additionally, there are concerns in Washington and Seoul regarding North Korea’s potential pursuit of advanced technology transfers from Russia, which could bolster its own nuclear weapons program.

During his recent visit to Pyongyang, Shoigu and Kim Jong Un discussed the specifics of reconstructing the Kursk region. Reports from Russia’s Tass news agency indicated that Shoigu’s trip was part of a “special” mission assigned by President Putin, aimed at deepening collaboration with North Korea.

It is noteworthy that in April, North Korea and Russia confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces to defend against Ukrainian incursions into the Kursk border region. At that time, President Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea’s contributions to the conflict and promised to honor their efforts.

Furthermore, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service disclosed that North Korea has incurred approximately 4,700 casualties on the Russia-Ukraine frontlines, which includes around 600 fatalities. In addition to military personnel, lawmakers reported that about 15,000 North Korean laborers have been sent to Russia as part of industrial cooperation efforts, highlighting the multifaceted nature of their partnership.

In summary, North Korea is sending a significant contingent of military builders and deminers to assist in the reconstruction of Russia’s Kursk region. This collaboration marks a notable expansion of military ties between the two countries amidst Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. With thousands of personnel deployed, the alliance appears to be growing both militarily and economically, raising concerns globally regarding nuclear technology transfers and the ramifications of enhanced cooperation.

Original Source: www.france24.com