Military Cooperation
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov recently met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss and enhance military cooperation between their two countries.
The meeting, which took place on Friday, marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, as announced by Pyongyang’s state media, KCNA.
The growing military alliance comes amidst increasing accusations from the United States and South Korea, which claim that North Korea has deployed over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Experts suggest that Kim Jong-un is eager to obtain advanced military technology and battlefield experience for his forces in return for his support in the conflict.
In his meeting with Belousov, Kim condemned the recent actions by Western powers, which have allowed Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory using Western weapons. He described these actions as a “direct military intervention” in the ongoing conflict.
Kim further emphasized that Russia’s retaliatory actions against these perceived hostilities were justified as an exercise of the country’s right to self-defense.
Belousov’s visit to Pyongyang was portrayed as a pivotal move in reinforcing the defense capabilities of both nations. KCNA reported that the discussions were aimed at enhancing military cooperation and promoting mutual development between the two countries’ armed forces.
In a statement following the meeting, Belousov expressed gratitude for the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, praising North Korea’s “absolutely independent foreign policy.”
Analysts believe that North Korea is strategically positioning itself as a key player in the Russian war economy, providing military support, manpower, and weapons to Russia in exchange for valuable resources like oil and gas.
This shift in alliances could mark a departure from its historical reliance on China, its neighbor and primary trading partner. Belousov, a defense expert with a background in long-term strategies for securing weapons and evading sanctions, is seen as a crucial figure in facilitating these arrangements.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the two countries have increasingly deepened their military ties, despite being under heavy United Nations sanctions—Russia for its nuclear program and North Korea for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
The strengthening relationship between Russia and North Korea has become a point of concern for other nations. Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, signaling continued backing for Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In response to the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, South Korea and Ukraine have indicated plans to enhance security cooperation to counter the perceived threats posed by the deployment of North Korean troops. However, there was no mention of arms shipments in these discussions.
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