North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed that his country will “continuously support” Russia in its war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, North Korean state media reported yesterday. A Russian military delegation led by Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday, amid growing international concern over the cooperation between the two countries and after North Korea reportedly sent thousands of soldiers to Russia last month.
North Korean state media stated that Kim and Belousov reached a “satisfactory agreement” to strengthen their strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty, security interests, and international justice in the face of rapidly changing global security dynamics.
Belousov also met with North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol. During a dinner, Belousov remarked that the strategic partnership between the two countries is crucial for defending their sovereignty against aggression.
Kim declared that North Korea would “support the Russian Federation’s policy to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” North Korean state media reported.
North Korea has backed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, framing it as a defensive response to what both Moscow and Pyongyang label the “reckless” eastward expansion of NATO and United States (U.S.) – led efforts to weaken Russia’s position.
Earlier in November, Kim condemned the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to target sites within Russia with longer-range missiles provided by the U.S., calling it a direct intervention in the conflict. He described Russia’s recent strikes on Ukraine as a “timely and effective measure.”
North Korea and Russia have not officially confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to the war in Ukraine and have consistently denied reports of arms shipments.
South Korea, the U.S., and Western allies are concerned that Russia might provide North Korea with advanced military technology, including assistance in building more powerful nuclear missiles.
In June, Kim and Vladimir Putin signed an agreement obligating both countries to provide military assistance if either is attacked.
