North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lauds the growing ties with Russia as reports suggest a potential visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The nations have seen an increase in collaboration across various sectors since Kim’s visit to Russia last year.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised the strengthening relationship with Russia amid reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon visit the country. Since Kim’s visit to Russia in September last year, which included a meeting with Putin at Russia’s spaceport, cooperation between North Korea and Russia in military, economic, and other areas has significantly increased.
Both North Korea and Russia deny allegations of arms transfers despite claims from the U.S., South Korea, and their partners that North Korea has provided artillery, missiles, and other weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technologies and economic aid. These actions, if true, would violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Media reports from Japanese broadcaster NHK and Russian business daily Vedomosti indicate that Putin may visit North Korea and Vietnam as early as next week. This would mark Putin’s third summit with Kim, following their initial meeting in Vladivostok in April 2019.
During their September meeting, Kim invited Putin to visit North Korea, and Putin accepted. On Wednesday, Kim sent Putin a congratulatory message on Russia’s National Day, highlighting the “unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms” between the two nations.
While the trip has not been officially confirmed by either Russia or North Korea, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that a visit is “in the pipeline.” The visit could involve discussions on strengthening military ties as Russia faces a weapons shortage due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and North Korea seeks assistance with space technology following a failed satellite launch in May.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have also escalated recently, with North Korea launching trash-filled balloons toward South Korea, prompting South Korea to resume propaganda broadcasts along the border. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik claimed in March that North Korea had shipped about 7,000 containers of munitions to Russia and received over 9,000 containers filled with aid in return.