NORTH KOREA: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia’s defence minister visited a defence display to showcase North Korea’s outlawed ballistic missiles.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian minister, and a Chinese team headed by a member of the Communist Party Politburo visited North Korea as a part of preparations for the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, known as “Victory Day,” as the two countries pledged to strengthen ties.
The UN Security Council’s resolutions, supported by Russia and China, banned nuclear-capable missiles. This week, they symbolized unity among three nations competing with the US and reviving their Cold War-era coalition. Shoigu’s visit to North Korea marked the first by a Russian military minister since the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.
North Korea has not fully opened up to the outside world since the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim expressed his views on mutual concerns, focusing on safeguarding sovereignty, development, and interests from imperialist practices and achieving international justice and peace, according to the North Korean media.
A letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin noting that support was given to Kim by Shoigu.
“Strong support from the DPRK for the special military operation in Ukraine, (and) solidarity with Russia on key international issues further emphasise our common interest and determination to oppose the policy of the collective West, which prevents the establishment of a truly multipolar, just world order,” the letter read, as per the Russian media.
Russia’s “battle for justice” and sovereignty, according to North Korea’s defence minister Kang Sun Nam, has Pyongyang’s complete backing. Kim and his visitors were seen at a demonstration of North Korea’s ballistic missiles and a new drone.
North Korean media reports Kim met with Chinese Politburo member Li Hongzhong and received a letter from President Xi Jinping. Kim claimed Xi’s dedication to the friendship between China and North Korea was demonstrated by Li’s delegation’s visit, as per Korean media.
The Chinese army used the Korean War motto “resist US aggressors” for a spectacular performance featuring Kim, Shoigu, and Li. Later, North Korea held a nocturnal military parade to showcase its latest weapons, as per South Korean media.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that Putin is seeking assistance and backing from other nations to continue his war in Ukraine. North Korea has supported the Kremlin in Ukraine and transferred weaponry to Moscow, the White House added.
Both Russia and North Korea deny transacting in armaments. Analysts believe the possibility of more explicit Russian backing for North Korea increases due to the West’s isolation of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s interest in maintaining the global non-proliferation regime may be deteriorating due to the geopolitical climate, as per analysts. South Korea’s foreign ministry hopes the group’s visit encourages North Korea to resume talks, despite Russia’s opposition to the North’s nuclear program.
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