 "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Wonsan, North Korea. Reuters")
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged his “unconditional support” for Russia’s actions in the Ukraine war, according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.
Kim made the statement during a meeting on Saturday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Wonsan. Lavrov brought greetings from President Vladimir Putin and said Russia wants to deepen its strategic partnership with North Korea.
The visit underscores closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korea is reported to have sent troops and ammunition to help Russia in its war against Ukraine, in exchange for military and economic aid.
This growing military cooperation has worried the United States, South Korea, and Japan, who fear sensitive technology could be transferred to North Korea.
During the visit, Lavrov also warned the US, South Korea, and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance aimed at countering North Korea, reflecting Russia’s stance amid rising global tensions.
Meanwhile, the US, South Korea, and Japan have increased their joint military drills in response to North Korea’s expanding nuclear weapons program.
On Friday, the three countries held an air drill involving US nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula. Senior military officials met in Seoul and urged North Korea to stop actions that threaten regional stability.
North Korea, however, has condemned such exercises, calling them rehearsals for invasion and insisting its nuclear program is necessary to deter US threats.