North Korea's Kim offers Russia 'unconditional support' – DW – 07/13/2025
North Korea's Kim Jong Un has reiterated his support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, according to state media on Sunday.
The reiteration of support came after Kim met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday in the eastern North Korean port city of Wonsan, Pyongyang's state news agency KCNA reported.
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Kim told Lavrov they "have the same views on all strategic issues" and that Pyongyang was "ready to unconditionally support and encourage all the measures taken by the Russian leadership as regards the tackling of the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis," KCNA reported.
Kim and Lavrov exchanged views in "an atmosphere full of warm comradely trust," according to the statement.
Lavrov's visit to North Korea was the latest in a series of high-profile visits by top Moscow officials as both countries deepen military and political ties in the midst of Russia's offensive against Ukraine.
North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia's Kursk region to oust Kyiv forces and has also provided the Russian army with weapons.
After visiting North Korea last month, the head of Russia's Security Council and former defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that Kim had agreed to send 6,000 more military engineers and workers to the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, underlining the growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed those figures. The spy agency also said that North Korea has now provided Russia with more than 10 million artillery rounds and missiles, receiving economic cooperation and military technology in return.
At the end of June, North Korean state media showed images of Kim honoring the flag-draped coffins of what appeared to be North Korean soldiers killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
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