North Korea and Russia have more in common than their common borders. Both countries have come under heavy criticism from the international community for their human rights abuses and the war in Ukraine, which is supported by North Korea. Russia and North Korea have also been hit hard by international sanctions. In the absence of allies, the two countries turn to each other for support.
In an exchange of messages between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the two leaders agreed to expand their bilateral relations. In his letter to Kim Jong Un on the occasion of North Korea’s Liberation Day, Putin wrote that it is in the interests of both countries.
According to Putin, closer relations between the two countries will enhance security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. The North Korean News Agency reported that KCN Monday.
Kim Jong-un responded – also in a letter – that the “strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity” between the two countries has reached its climax. He said Kim Jong Un attributes this development to their concerted efforts to thwart threats and provocations from hostile forces. KCN. The North Korean news agency did not specify which hostile forces participated. The term was previously used to refer to the United States and its allies.
Support the war in Ukraine
In April, North Korea expressed support for the Russian war in Ukraine. As a thank you, Russia vetoed a UN resolution in May to impose additional sanctions on North Korea.
Last July, North Korea took another step forward. It was one of the few countries that recognized the Ukrainian “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia recognized the independence of the regions, where many Russians live, just before the invasion of Ukraine.
A few days later, Pyongyang announced that it might send North Korean workers to the Donets Basin and Luhansk to help rebuild.
Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said that there are many opportunities for economic cooperation between North Korea, the Donets Basin and Luhansk, despite the UN sanctions. Matsegora told the Russian newspaper Izvestia That “highly skilled and hardworking Korean workers, accustomed to working in the harshest conditions, can help rebuild.
Ukraine immediately cut all ties with North Korea.
“It shows how isolated Putin is, and that he must now turn to North Korea,” said Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.