SEOUL, South Korea: The closeness between North Korea and Russia appears to intensify with a recent meeting held between its leaders. On Wednesday, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un assured Russian President Vladmir Putin of “full and unconditional support” after a summit held at Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important launch center.
The meeting lasted more than four hours at Russia’s spaceport in the Far East. It highlighted how closely linked the two countries’ interests are. Putin is said to be looking for one of the few things North Korea has in abundance: stockpiles of old ammunition and missiles for Soviet-era weapons, reported the news agency AP.
This, however, sounds like an alarm to the United States who believes that the two countries which were isolated by the former are brewing something dangerous. The United States said the summit between the North Korea and Russia could lead to a deal of providing ammunition for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The Role Reversal
Such a request would mark a role reversal from the 1950-1953 Korean War, when Moscow provided weapons to support Pyongyang’s invasion of South Korea – and in the decades that followed, when the Soviet Union financed North Korea.
North Korea’s official news agency informed that Kim Jong Un has sent an invitation to the Russian President, which was “happily accepted and reciprocated.” The invitation was regarding visiting North Korea at a “convenient time.”
The world percieved the meeting as Kim’s urge of seeking Russia’s help in developing military reconnaissance satellites. and North Korea has repeatedly failed to send satellites due to its first military probe into orbit.
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Putin welcomed Kim’s limousine, transported from Pyongyang on the North Korean leader’s armored train, to the launch site, greeting his guest with a handshake that lasted about 40 seconds. Putin spoke about the Soviet Union’s wartime support for North Korea and said discussions would focus on economic cooperation, humanitarian issues and “the situation in the region.”
War With Ukriane
On the contrary, Mr. Kim promised continued support for Moscow, seemingly referring to the war in Ukraine. “Russia is currently engaged in a just struggle against hegemonic forces to protect its sovereign rights, security and interests,” he said.
Analysts say North Korea may have tens of millions of old artillery shells and missiles based on Soviet designs to support Russian forces in Ukraine. Washington accuses North Korea of providing weapons to Russia, including selling artillery shells to Russia’s Wagner mercenary group. Russian and North Korean officials deny this allegation. However, purchasing weapons from North Korea or providing missile technology to the country would violate international sanctions that Russia has supported.