North Korea and Russia apparently want to further deepen their relations: according to media reports, ruler Kim issued a return invitation during his visit. Kremlin boss Putin was “gladly” to accept it, it was said.
After the meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian head of state apparently wants to return the visit. The North Korean media unanimously said that Putin had accepted an invitation from Kim to North Korea.
The state news agency KNCA reported that Putin “gladly” accepted the offer of a return visit and reaffirmed his desire to “continue the history and tradition of friendship between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” Accordingly, a meeting on North Korean soil should take place “at an appropriate time.” A possible future meeting between the two heads of state in North Korea has not yet been confirmed by the Russian side.
Kim arrived in Russia on Tuesday and met with Putin in Vostochny on Wednesday. According to the Reuters news agency, North Korea’s ruler was accompanied by a delegation for military cooperation. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also took part in the meeting.
Little details about the content of the deliberations
Little was known about the content of the deliberations after the meeting concluded. There had already been speculation in advance that the focus could be on military cooperation between the two countries and possible arms deliveries to Russia.
The KNCA now quoted Kim as saying that he had agreed to more intensive strategic and tactical cooperation with Putin in the face of the “military threats, provocations and tyranny of the imperialists.” Putin had also previously spoken of “possibilities” of military cooperation. However, he left it open what this might look like. Regarding the suspicion that North Korea and Russia are discussing possible arms deliveries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov simply said: “Our countries cooperate in sensitive areas that should not be made public.”
Putin has already confirmed that North Korea should receive help in building satellites, Russian media reported.
The USA and South Korea are alarmed
The USA reacted with concern to the meeting between Putin and Kim. It is “disturbing” that Russia is talking to North Korea about cooperating on programs that would potentially violate a UN Security Council resolution, said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. The US fears above all that Russia could receive artillery shells from North Korea, which could then be used in the war against Ukraine. Miller warned that the US would “not hesitate” to impose additional sanctions on Russia and North Korea if they enter into new arms deals.
South Korean Unification Minister Kim Young-ho also expressed “deep concern” about possible military cooperation between neighboring North Korea and Russia. “We once again call on Russia and North Korea to end their illegal actions that isolate and set them back, and to respect international rules, including Security Council resolutions,” the minister urged.