North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has promised full support for Russia, including its actions in the war in Ukraine. North Korean state media shared this news on June 5.
Kim met with Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russia’s Security Council, in Pyongyang. During the meeting, Kim said he strongly agrees with Russia’s foreign policy, especially about Ukraine. He called Russia’s efforts a “just cause” and said North Korea supports them completely.
Kim also said he fully supports Russia’s decisions in world politics, including the Ukraine conflict. He believes Russia will win the war.
This was Shoigu’s second visit to North Korea in less than three months. It shows that the two countries are becoming closer. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. During that visit, the two countries signed a military deal that includes helping each other in times of war.
North Korea’s state news said that both countries agreed to grow their partnership even more. Their relationship has become stronger since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Reports from South Korea say that about 600 North Korean soldiers have died while fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. Thousands more have been injured. In April, North Korea admitted that its soldiers are in Russia and confirmed that some have been killed.
South Korea has also accused North Korea of sending large amounts of weapons to Russia. A group that tracks international sanctions said North Korea sent up to nine million rounds of ammunition to Russia last year. In return, North Korea is believed to have received missile systems and air defense weapons.
The international group monitoring these actions said that the military support between the two nations is against global rules. They called it a violation of sanctions placed on both North Korea and Russia.
The meeting between Kim and Shoigu happened on the same day South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung, took office. Lee offered to start peace talks with North Korea. However, North Korean media only mentioned his swearing-in briefly and didn’t respond to his message about cooperation.
North Korean media also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron had spoken at a security meeting in Singapore, warning that North Korea’s ties with Russia are dangerous. North Korea rejected his words, calling them nonsense, and accused NATO of trying to increase its military presence in Asia.
As North Korea and Russia grow closer, many countries are worried. Their growing military relationship and breaking of international sanctions are raising concerns around the world.
