SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged his unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, according to the North’s state media on Saturday.
A Russian military delegation led by Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday, signaling growing concerns internationally about the strengthening ties between the two nations. This comes after North Korea reportedly sent thousands of troops to Russia last month.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim and Belousov reached a “satisfactory consensus” during their meeting, agreeing to enhance their strategic partnership and defend their respective sovereignties and security interests amid shifting global security dynamics.
Kim expressed that North Korea would “invariably support” Russia’s efforts to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity against what both countries view as imperialist moves aimed at achieving global dominance. He reiterated North Korea’s stance that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a defensive response to NATO’s expansion and U.S.-led efforts to undermine Russia’s global position.
Kim also criticized the U.S. for allowing Ukraine to strike Russian targets with long-range missiles earlier in November, framing it as direct interference in the conflict. He described Russia’s retaliatory missile strikes on Ukraine as “timely and effective” measures to show Russia’s resolve.
Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean intelligence sources indicate that North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to Russia, some of whom are already reported to be fighting on the frontlines. Additionally, North Korea is said to have supplied Russia with artillery systems, missiles, and other weapons to help replenish Russia’s depleting stockpiles.
While both Russia and North Korea have not officially confirmed the movement of North Korean troops or shipments of weapons, they continue to deny the reports. The U.S., South Korea, and their allies are increasingly concerned that Russia may, in return, offer North Korea advanced military technologies, potentially helping the country build more powerful nuclear missiles.
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Recently, South Korean National Security Adviser Shin Wonsik revealed that South Korea believes Russia has supplied North Korea with air defense missile systems. Additionally, it appears Russia may have provided North Korea with economic aid and military technologies to support the North’s efforts to develop a more advanced space-based surveillance system.
In addition to his meeting with Belousov, Kim met with North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol. During a banquet later that evening, Belousov emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea in defending their sovereignty against external aggression and imperialist actions, according to KCNA.
In June, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty guaranteeing that both countries would offer immediate military assistance if either nation comes under attack. This agreement is considered the most significant defense pact between the two nations since the end of the Cold War.
By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press