by & nbsplauren Walker & nbspwith & nbspAP
It’s published •update
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un again confirmed his “unconditional support” for Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine during his meeting with senior Russian officials.
According to the state-run South Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), the authoritarian ruler made comments on Wednesday during talks with Russian security council chief Sergei Shuigu in Pyongyang.
Kim has repeatedly “unconditionally supported Russia’s position on all important international political issues, including the Ukraine issue, and its foreign policy,” KCNA reported.
In recent years, ties between the two countries have been strengthened, and Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to Russia to take part in the war with Ukraine.
North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, some of which were seized in a surprising attack by Ukrainian forces last August.
“Illegal” cooperation
Speculation about North Korea’s military deployment to Russia first came at the end of 2024, with Ukrainian Voldimi Zelensky and South Korean officials accusing Pyongyang of sending soldiers to support Moscow’s war efforts.
However, it was not until April that Moscow and Pyongyang officially confirmed the existence of North Korean troops on the battlefield.
Last week, a watchdog group, which includes South Korea, the US, Japan and eight other countries, classified Russia and North Korea’s military alliances as “illegal” and said it was a significant violation of UN sanctions.
The report said their agreement allowed North Korea to fund its banned ballistic missile programme.
The group also expressed concern that Russia may transfer sophisticated technology to help North Korea strengthen its nuclear weapons programme.
In late April, North Korea announced the country’s first naval destroyer. Cho Ha-ion says it was built with Russian support to further demonstrate the growth of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
