North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his unconditional support for Moscow in the war in Ukraine, its state TV KCNA reported on Sunday.
Kim Jong-un made the remarks during the talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who is on a three-day visit to North Korea, the latest in a series of trips by high-level Russian officials as the two countries continue to deepen ties.
“Kim Jong-un reaffirmed the DPRK is ready to unconditionally support and encourage all the measures taken by the Russian leadership as regards the tackling of the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis,” KCNA said. He also expressed a “firm belief that the Russian army and people would surely win victory in accomplishing the sacred cause of defending the dignity and basic interests of the country”.
The North Korean leader and Lavrov met in eastern coastal city of Wonsan, where Lavrov and his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui, held their second strategic dialogue this year, issuing a joint statement pledging support to protect the territorial integrity of each other’s countries. Lavrov warned the US, South Korea and Japan against a security partnership targeting Pyongyang and accused these countries of military buildup against North Korea. Lavrov also hailed Wonsan as “a good tourist attraction”. Ahead of Lavrov’s visit, the Kremlin announced that Russia would start twice-a-week flights between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The military cooperation between the two countries is in line with the partnership treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defence pact. Since last year, North Korean has sent thousands of troops, military equipment and drones to help Russia’s war efforts. Last month, Kim Jong un paid tribute to North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine in a ceremony held in Pyhongyag and in first official acknowledgement of the country’s direct involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
