Following discussions with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, North Korea’s foreign minister announces, “We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day,” in reference to the conflict in Ukraine.
The US has warned that hundreds of North Korean troops may be deployed to fight in Ukraine in the coming days, and Pyongyang’s foreign minister declared in Moscow that North Korea will support Russia until it wins the war in Ukraine.
The West estimates that up to 10,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia and are about to join Russia in the more than two-year fight. North Korean leader Choe Son-hui was in Moscow on Friday.
Washington and Seoul have warned North Korea to remove its army, and US intelligence reports that some of the forces have reached the Kursk border region.
“We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day,” Choe said in Moscow following a meeting with Sergey Lavrov, her Russian counterpart.
According to her, North Korea had complete faith in President Vladimir Putin’s “wise leadership” after he inked a mutual assistance agreement with Pyongyang this summer and significantly improved relations with the isolated nation.
Choe referred to Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine, which has lasted for more than two years, as a “sacred struggle.”
In addition, she pledged that North Korea would keep expanding its nuclear weapons, given the widespread suspicion that Pyongyang wants Russian nuclear technology in return for military assistance.
The troop deployment rumors have not been refuted by any nation, and Choe and Lavrov did not bring them up in their post-talk statements.
Nonetheless, Lavrov praised the “very close ties” between the two nations’ “armies and special services.”
He went on to say, “This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours,” without providing specifics.
The troop deployment rumors have not been refuted by any nation, and Choe and Lavrov did not bring them up in their post-talk statements.
Nonetheless, Lavrov praised the “very close ties” between the two nations’ “armies and special services.”
He went on to say, “This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours,” without providing specifics.
‘Deeply grateful’ Moscow
Russia is “deeply grateful” for North Korea’s “principled stance” on Ukraine, according to Lavrov.
In February 2022, Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine, cutting off its relations with the West. Since then, North Korea and Iran have been Russia’s primary supporters, with both countries allegedly providing Moscow’s forces with supplies.
Lavrov used Soviet-style words when he declared, “I really appreciate today’s opportunity to talk frankly in a comradely manner.”
With Moscow and Pyongyang are among the most sanctioned nations in the world, Russia has significantly improved relations with its neighbor, North Korea.
Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in July, according to Lavrov, marked the beginning of a “new stage” in relations.
Although it is already thought that North Korea has delivered weaponry to Moscow, the presence of personnel on the ground would be a significant step up.
The United States stated on Thursday that although it has not yet seen troops deployed into combat, this might occur “in the coming days.”
According to its Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, however, the 10,000 North Koreans reportedly en route “will not come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost.”
The United States would shortly announce further military assistance for Kiev, he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was shocked by China’s “silence” and criticized what he described as his partners’ inactivity on North Korean troops on Thursday.
Following the “true escalation” with North Korea, Kiev called on Western allies to “lift all the restrictions” on launching long-range missiles into Russia.
“Explosive”
In Moscow, Choe also said that the West was increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula and pledged that the nation would not abandon its nuclear program.
She made her remarks a day after North Korea claimed to have tested one of its most advanced and potent missiles to strengthen its nuclear deterrent, a claim that the West denounced.
“I once again assure you that our country will in no way change course on the straightening of its nuclear forces,” she continued.
“The security situation of our nation is in a very dangerous and unstable state because of the machinations of the US and its satellites,” she stated.
“The situation on the Korean Peninsula could become explosive at any time,” she stated.
According to South Korea, Pyongyang would probably request Russian technological transfers to support its weapons programs, and North Korea’s deployment to Russia could increase security risks on the Korean peninsula.
