A statement which comes as thousands of North Korean soldiers are reportedly training in Russia with a view to their deployment on the Ukrainian front.
South Korean intelligence announced in October that North Korea had decided to deploy some 12,000 troops to Russia's side in its war against Ukraine, the Yonhap news agency reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused North Korea of deploying officers to Russia's side and preparing to send thousands of troops to help Moscow in its war in Ukraine.
Since a joint summit late last year, Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened their military ties, while Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin concluded a mutual defense pact as part of a strategic partnership signed in June. North Korea has delivered ballistic missiles and other munitions to Russia, according to South Korea and the United States, something Pyongyang and Moscow deny.
This Friday, North Korea took a new step by expressing its unwavering support for Russia in its quest for “victory” in Ukraine, according to a statement from a North Korean minister, reports TF1Info.
“Very close contacts”
The Russian Foreign Minister welcomed his North Korean counterpart on November 1 and praised the military and security cooperation between the two countries.
“Very close contacts have been established between the military and security services of the two countries. This makes it possible to resolve important issues for the security of our citizens and yours,” declared Sergei Lavrov while receiving Choe Son Hui.
China, for its part, seemed to distance itself this Friday from this Russian-Korean military rapprochement.
“North Korea and Russia are two independent states. How they develop their relations is their concern,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
