North Korea’s Kim hails Russia ties as Putin reportedly plans a visit
Military, economic, and other cooperation between North Korea and Russia have sharply increased since Kim visited Russia last September for a meeting with Putin. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised Russia's expanding relationship, praising the country's military, economic and other ties with Russia. This comes as reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to visit North Korea for his third meeting with Kim. Kim has been pushing for partnerships with Russia and China to strengthen his regional footing and counterbalance the United States. The relationship between North Korea and Russia has significantly increased since Kim's visit in September. The U.S., South Korea and their partners believe North Korea has supplied conventional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technologies and economic aid. Putin is expected to seek stronger military ties with North Korea as Russia faces a shortage of weapons in its war with Ukraine, while North Korea may want help with space technology following its recent failure to put a second spy satellite in orbit.
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Kim has been pushing to boost partnerships with Russia and China in a bid to strength his regional footing and launch a united front against the United States.
Military, economic and other cooperation between North Korea and Russia have sharply increased since Kim visited Russia last September for a meeting with Putin. The U.S., South Korea and their partners believe North Korea has supplied artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia to support its war in Ukraine in return for advanced military technologies and economic aid.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the country’s expanding relationship with Russia on Wednesday, as reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon visit the country for his third meeting with Kim.
During their September meeting at Russia’s main space launch site, Kim invited the Russian president to visit North Korea at “a convenient time,” and Putin accepted.
On Wednesday, Kim sent Putin a congratulatory message commemorating Russia's National Day, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
“Thanks to the significant meeting between us at the Vostochney Spaceport in September last year, (North Korea)-Russia friendly and cooperative relations developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms,” Kim said in the message.
Kim's comments came as media reports said Putin is expected to visit North Korea as early as next week. If realized, it would their third summit meeting. Their first summit happened in Vladivostok in April 2019.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing unidentified diplomatic sources including high-ranking Russian officials, reported Wednesday that Putin is preparing to visit North Korea and Vietnam next week.
NHK said Putin is expected to seek stronger military ties with North Korea as Russia faces a shortage of weapons in its war with Ukraine, while North Korea is believed to want help with space technology in the wake of its recent failure to put a second spy satellite in orbit in late May.
Neither Russia nor North Korea have confirmed reports of a planned trip. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a briefing in late May that ““the visit is in the pipeline, and we will make an announcement in due time,” according to Russian news agency Tass.
Russia and North Korea are locked in separate confrontations with the United States — Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea over its advancing nuclear program. Both North Korea and Russia have denied allegations of arms transfers, which would be a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
In March, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik said North Korea had already shipped about 7,000 containers filled with munitions and other military equipment to Russia. In return, Shin said that North Korea had received more than 9,000 Russian containers likely filled with aid.
Recently, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen again as North Korea launched trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea, prompting the South to resume propaganda broadcasts at border areas.
Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this story.
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