Russian Soldiers Receive Medical Treatment in North Korea Amid Strengthened Ties
Russian soldiers injured in Ukraine are treated in North Korea, as confirmed by Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. Relations between the nations have strengthened, particularly in light of a strategic partnership aimed at defense cooperation. Medical treatment is free for Russian soldiers, with several ongoing collaborative efforts, including resource sharing and military assistance.
Russian soldiers injured during the Ukraine conflict are reportedly receiving treatment and rehabilitation in North Korea, as stated by Alexander Matsegora, Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta on February 9. Russian-North Korean relations have intensified over the last three years, particularly amidst a shared geopolitical stance against Western countries, leading to significant international stability concerns.
In the fall of 2024, both nations formalized a strategic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing trade, scientific, technical, and defense cooperation. Notably, the agreement does not explicitly mention the medical treatment of wounded Russian soldiers. Ambassador Matsegora emphasized that such medical care is offered at no cost in “the best hospitals and sanatoriums,” asserting that hundreds of Russian servicemen have already been sent for treatment in North Korea.
The ambassador also indicated that offering financial compensation for these services had caused offense among the North Korean authorities, who requested that such offers not be made again. Furthermore, North Korean vacation opportunities are provided for the children of Russian service members who lost their lives in the Ukraine conflict, alongside initiatives to promote university exchanges between the two nations.
In addition to the medical collaboration, it is reported that Russia is supplying North Korea with essential resources, including coal, food, and medicine. Military ties have also grown closer, evidenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of a mutual defense pact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June 2024.
Following this pact, North Korea increased its participation in Russia’s military activities, supplying weapons such as artillery munitions and ballistic missiles, and even deploying troops. Specifically, up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia’s Kursk Oblast last fall, where they aided Russian forces in responding to a Ukrainian offensive in that region.
In conclusion, the treatment of wounded Russian soldiers in North Korea highlights the deepening ties between the two countries amidst their collective opposition to Western influence. This collaboration extends beyond military support, encompassing educational exchanges and resource sharing, reflecting a strategic partnership that poses significant implications for global stability. The mutual defense pact further cements the relationship, with both nations enhancing their military cooperation considerably.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
