North Korea has pledged its "unconditional support" for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during a meeting between Kim Jong Un and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, indicating deeper military ties and collaboration between the two nations.
North Korea Backs Russia's Stance in Ukraine Conflict
North Korea Backs Russia's Stance in Ukraine Conflict
In a recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Kim Jong Un voiced North Korea's unwavering support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reinforced his regime's commitment to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In exchanges with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a recent visit to Wonsan, Kim articulated Pyongyang's "unconditional support" for the measures that Russia has taken to address what he termed the "root cause of the Ukrainian crisis," according to state media reports from North Korea.
The North Korean leader emphasized that his country stands firmly behind the actions of the Russian leadership. This move comes after Western intelligence suggested that North Korea has dispatched around 11,000 troops to assist Russia in its military endeavors against Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict. The war in Ukraine escalated when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
As reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim and Lavrov met on Saturday in an atmosphere characterized by "warm comradely trust." Kim expressed confidence that the Russian military and its citizens will achieve victory in their mission to defend their national dignity and interests. A video shared by Russia’s foreign ministry on Telegram shows the two leaders exchanging a handshake and a hug, further solidifying their diplomatic ties.
Lavrov also took time to meet North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, and commended the efforts of "heroic" North Korean troops deployed to assist Russia, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency. This renewed military collaboration follows the resumption of military aid to Ukraine by the United States, including the deployment of Patriot air defense systems, as announced by President Donald Trump.
Previously, North Korea publicly acknowledged its troop deployments to Russia back in April, well after these actions had been disclosed by Ukraine and Western entities. In a June 2022 agreement, Kim and Putin pledged mutual support in the face of perceived aggression from external threats. Additionally, North Korea has indicated plans to send thousands of workers to assist in the reconstruction of Russia's heavily impacted Kursk region, further deepening their military and economic partnership.
