The meeting between Sergei Lavrov and Choe Son Hui this Friday comes at a time when Ukraine and the West denounce a deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers near the front, seeing it as a dangerous “escalation” of the conflict.
“There is no doubt that under the wise leadership of the distinguished Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will achieve a great victory (…) We reaffirm that we will always stand firmly alongside our comrades Russians until Victory Day,” declared North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, according to a Russian translation of her remarks, during a meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia
“Very close contacts have been established between the military and security services of the two countries. This allows us to resolve important issues for the security of our citizens and yours,” the Russian minister, for his part, welcomed.
The two countries concluded a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” which notably provides for “immediate military aid” in the event of armed aggression from third countries.
The Ukrainian army has controlled several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory since its surprise offensive launched in early August in the Kursk region.
Citing the American intelligence services, the head of diplomacy Antony Blinken indicated this Thursday that of the 10,000 North Korean soldiers who, according to Washington, entered Russia, up to 8,000 “were deployed in the Kursk region.
“We have not yet seen these (North Korean) troops deploy in combat against Ukrainian forces, but we expect that to happen in the coming days,” Blinken added.
A “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” to be ratified
After deputies last week, the Russian Federation Council must vote on the ratification of the strategic agreement between the two countries on November 6.
This meeting between Sergei Lavrov and Choe Son Hui comes a few days before the American presidential election, at a time when North Korea is raising tensions with the firing of an intercontinental missile with the stated objective of strengthening its nuclear deterrence.
Choe Son Hui also said that his country would “strengthen its nuclear arsenal”.
Russia and North Korea have grown significantly closer since Moscow launched its assault on Ukraine in February 2022.
Pyongyang is accused by the West of supplying quantities of shells and missiles to the Russian army in its conflict with Ukraine.
