Latest news with #NorthKorea-Russia
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘My dearest Comrade Putin,' North Korea's Kim Jong Un vows to support Russia, praises ‘genuine' bilateral ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, assured that his country will always support Moscow, state media KCNA reported on Thursday. Calling Putin his 'dearest comrade', Kim praised North Korea-Russia bilateral relations in a message for Russia Day. "It is an unshakable will of the government of the DPRK and of my own steadfastly to carry on the DPRK-Russia relations," Kim was quoted as saying. 'Today the traditional DPRK-Russia friendship has been further cemented thanks to the militant comradeship the service personnel of the two countries have forged at the cost of their blood in the just sacred war to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia; it has developed into an excellent model of indestructible, genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms and alliance,' he added. After months of silence, Pyongyang confirmed for the first time that it had sent troops to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine under orders from leader Kim Jong Un earlier this year. The North Korean leader has consistently supported Russia. Earlier that Kim Jong Un promised to unconditionally support Putin. During a meeting in Pyongyang with Sergei Shoigu, a leading security aide to Putin, Kim stated that North Korea will 'unconditionally support' Russia and 'its foreign policies on all significant international political matters," KCNA reported. Both countries agreed to enhance their ties 'into the powerful and comprehensive relations of strategic partnership," it noted. In 2024, North Korea 'transferred to Russia at least 100 ballistic missiles, which were subsequently launched into Ukraine to destroy civilian infrastructure and terrorise populated areas such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia," reported Bloomberg News citing a report by a report by 11 countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. The report also informed that Pyongyang 'deployed over 11,000 troops into eastern Russia in late 2024, which were moved to the far-western Kursk Oblast where they began engaging in combat operations alongside Russian forces in support of Russia's war against Ukraine.'
See - Sada Elbalad
30-04-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
What It Takes for North Korea to Build a Sustainable Tourism Sector
Cha, Du Hyeon During an inspection of the Mount Geumgang tourist area in October 2019—a site constructed with South Korean investment—North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered that 'the shabby South Korean facilities, which are so unpleasant to see, be removed completely,' signaling his intention to pursue the tourism industry on North Korea's own terms. Since then, North Korea has sought to revitalize its tourism sector with projects in Wonsan-Galma coastal area and Samjiyeon near Mount Baekdu, both of which Kim Jong-un personally inspected in succession in July 2024. This reflects Kim's focused interest in tourism—not merely as a means of economic 'survival,' but as a 'developmental' achievement intended to distinguish himself from his predecessors. The primary targets of North Korea's tourism industry continue to be neighboring China and Russia, with China being its largest customer. According to a 2019 estimate by a Chinese state-run media outlet, approximately 200,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea in 2018, accounting for 90% of all foreign visitors. In the wake of recent North Korea-Russia cooperation, a tourist train is set to begin operations in May of this year between Vladivostok and the Rason (Rajin-Seonbong) area. Diversifying the range of tourist source markets could further enhance the tourism sector. If U.S.-North Korea relations improve and North Korea succeeds in attracting American and Western tourists, the resulting inflow could significantly benefit its economy. Following the 2018 U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore, President Trump also expressed interest in North Korea's tourism potential, noting the country's numerous 'waterfront properties.' North Korea's image as a 'hermit kingdom,' combined with its undeveloped but scenic natural landscapes, presents considerable tourism potential. However, Kim Jong-un and the North Korean leadership must reflect on why, despite this potential, the tourism sector has struggled to advance. Key lessons can be drawn from past cases of inter-Korean tourism cooperation. South Korean tours to Mount Geumgang were conducted from November 1998 to July 2018, while tourism to Gaesong operated from December 2007 to November 2008; both programs are now suspended. Although the possibility of tourism to Mount Baekdu was discussed during the three inter-Korean summits in 2018, it ultimately failed to produce tangible outcomes. The suspension of inter-Korean tourism cooperation was largely shaped by political and military relations between the two sides, but North Korea's poor tourism infrastructure also played a significant role. First, tourism cannot thrive on scenic landscapes alone: tourists not only seek quality facilities and natural attractions but also look for opportunities to engage with the host country's history, culture, and everyday life. Even those who favor luxury seaside resorts typically spend part of their stay shopping or exploring local areas. In the digital age, travelers also seek various information about destinations before they visit. This requires transparency, information-sharing, and an environment that allows interaction between tourists and local residents. Inter-Korean tourism initiatives in Gaesong and Mount Geumgang failed to meet these expectations. In fact, North Korea's focus on developing areas like Wonsan-Galma and Samjiyeon reflects the regime's preference for locations where tourists can be easily isolated from the general population. Second, for tourism to grow, local residents must not feel alienated or hostile toward tourists. This requires a widespread perception that tourism revenue help improve their quality of life. The inter-Korean tourism initiative at Mount Geumgang was initially expected to benefit North Korean residents; however, it ultimately gave rise to suspicions that a substantial portion of the funds was diverted to the development of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear arms, or channeled into Kim's personal governing funds. Moreover, if—as was suspected in the case of the past Gaesong Industrial Complex—residents are relocated or evacuated away from tourists, such actions are likely to foster resentment and rejection among the local population. Third, for tourism in North Korea to be revitalized, the more than ten UN sanctions resolutions must be lifted. Under current sanctions, profit-driven transactions with and the provision of bulk cash to North Korea are prohibited—posing significant barriers to large-scale tourism investment and the involvement of reputable companies. Therefore, if Kim Jong-un and the North Korean leadership are serious about developing the economy through tourism, they must first demonstrate a commitment to abandoning weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, and to pursuing meaningful reform and openness. Tourism revenue should be directed not toward WMD programs, but toward investments in roads and other infrastructure that are essential for sustainable tourism development. These benefits must also extend to the North Korean population. Without a genuine willingness to change, any form of tourism cooperation risks becoming a 'dirty deal' that serves only to secure the personal survival or enrichment of the regime. If the promotion of North Korea's tourism industry can contribute to denuclearization, peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region, and the improvement of human rights and well-being for the North Korean people, it would be welcomed by all nations, including South Korea. However, tourism cooperation would be meaningless if it merely serves to fill the personal coffers of a one-man dictator, provides the means to further oppress the population, finances the production of WMDs that could inflict immense suffering on humanity, or is exploited as a political trophy by certain individuals. The international community has long worked together to prevent the flow of war funds into conflict zones. Similar caution must be exercised to ensure that North Korean tourism does not become another 'blood diamond.' read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? 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Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea confirms troop deployment to Russia
North Korea on Monday confirmed for the first time that it has deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine under their mutual defense treaty, claiming the North's soldiers helped Russia regain control of Kursk. The North's deployment was made by "the order" of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in accordance with Pyongyang's mutual defense treaty with Moscow, the North's Korean Central News Agency reported. Citing the North's Central Military Commission, the KCNA reported the first confirmation of troop deployment to Russia, months after thousands of North Korean troops were sent to Russia for combat in the front-line region of Kursk. "The operations for liberating the Kursk area to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities were victoriously concluded," the KCNA said, adding that the subunits of the national armed forces participated in the operations "according to the order of the country's head of state," Kim Jong-un. After concluding that the situation met the conditions for invoking the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia, Kim "decided our armed forces' participation in the war (and) informed the Russian side of it," according to the KCNA. Kim signed the mutual treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang in June last year, which commits the two nations to providing military aid to each other in the event of war. The KCNA claimed the military activities by North Korean forces in Russia "fully conform" with the United Nations Charter, other international laws and the bilateral treaty, and "serves as a model example ... of the most faithful expression of action to implement them." It also quoted Kim as describing the activities as "a sacred mission to further consolidate" friendship and solidarity with Russia and "defend the honor" of North Korea. "They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland," he said. Kim also said a monument praising their heroism and bravery will be erected soon in Pyongyang and flowers praying for immortality will be placed before the tombstones of the fallen soldiers, effectively acknowledging troops killed in combat. The KCNA reported that the commission is convinced the "invincible" North Korea-Russia friendship, verified in the combat, "will greatly contribute to expanding and developing the future relations of friendship and cooperation" between the two nations. The signing of the mutual defense treaty has closely aligned North Korea and Russia, with Moscow reportedly providing much-needed economic resources to North Korea in exchange for its troop contributions amid international sanctions that are gripping Pyongyang's economy. The North's confirmation of troop deployment came just two days after Russia acknowledged that North Korean soldiers had been fighting in its war with Ukraine. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, confirmed their combat participation during a videoconference with Putin on Saturday, recognizing the crucial role they played in "liberating" the Kursk region. Since more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers were dispatched to Russia in October, North Korea had remained silent on the issue, even as a large number of casualties were reported among its troops and two North Korean soldiers were captured alive by Ukrainian forces in January. South Korea's military estimates that in January and February, North Korea sent an additional 3,000 soldiers to the Kursk region, who reportedly quickly adapted to combat and contributed to Russia's reclamation of Kursk. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea says treaty with Russia guarantees peace, security in Eurasia
North Korea on Thursday touted its mutual defense treaty with Russia as a "guarantee" safeguarding peace and security in Eurasia, marking the sixth anniversary of leader Kim Jong-un's first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Rodong Simun, a mainstream newspaper published by North Korea's Workers' Party, carried the message, a day before the country marks the sixth anniversary of Kim's first summit with Putin in the Russian border city of Vladivostok on April 25, 2019. The two countries have aligned closely since Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense treaty in Pyongyang in June last year, which led to North Korea's deployment of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine. "The North Korea-Russia friendship, which has been further strengthened through the trials of complex history, has entered into a new heyday today under the special attention" of leader Kim Jong-un, the newspaper claimed. It described the first Kim-Putin summit as a "watershed" that elevated and enriched the friendship between the two neighbors. The newspaper also touted it as a "groundbreaking" event that updated bilateral relations to meet the "demand of the time" and a "solid cornerstone" in the development of their friendship. North Korea also referred to the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Putin last year, claiming it created "a reliance guarantee" to safeguard peace and security in the Eurasian continent. North Korea and Russia are strengthening their ties and cooperation by jointly reinforcing self-defense against reckless plots by "hostile forces," the Rodong Sinmun said, adding they will build "a new world" together on the basis of the new treaty. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
NK leader has 'no intention' of negotiating away nukes, seeks 'tacit' nuclear power recognition: US assessment
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has no intention of negotiating away his regime's nuclear and other "strategic" weapons programs, a US threat report said Tuesday, as a top intelligence official viewed Pyongyang as seeking at least "tacit" recognition as a nuclear power. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, as DNI Tulsi Gabbard said North Korea may be ready to carry out another nuclear test "on short notice" and continue intercontinental ballistic missile tests to show its negotiation leverage. The assessment came as US President Donald Trump has voiced his openness to resuming dialogue with Kim amid speculation that Trump could focus on reducing threats from Pyongyang rather than on ridding it of its nuclear arms despite his stated pursuit of the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea. "Kim has no intention of negotiating away his strategic weapons programs, which he perceives as a guarantor of regime security and national pride, because they threaten the homeland, US forces in the region, and US allies like South Korea and Japan," the assessment report said. Last year's edition of the report said that Kim "almost certainly" has no intentions of negotiating away his nuclear program. This year's report also pointed out that Russia is increasingly supporting the North's nuclear status in exchange for Pyongyang's support for Moscow's war against Ukraine. Speaking at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Gabbard highlighted Pyongyang's adherence to its nuclear program. "North Korea is probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice and continues to flight test ICBMs to demonstrate their increasing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations," she said in her opening remarks. Seoul and Washington have shared the view that Pyongyang has completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test, while awaiting a political decision to go ahead. The recalcitrant regime conducted a total of six underground nuclear experiments from 2006-2017. Gabbard said that the North's leader is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that can target US forces and allies in the region, as well as the US mainland, to bolster his country's leverage and stature, defend his regime and achieve "at least tacit recognition as a nuclear weapons power." The threat report underscored the US intelligence community's concerns over a deepening North Korea-Russia alignment, backed by the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty that Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed in June last year. The treaty calls for one party to provide military aid to the other in the event of an armed invasion -- a pledge that effectively revived the two countries' Cold War-era military alliance. "Kim's newly cemented strategic partnership with Russia is yielding financial benefit, diplomatic support, and defense cooperation. The partnership with Moscow also helps reduce Pyongyang's reliance on Beijing," it said. "North Korea's advancing strategic weapons capabilities and increasing access to revenue are enabling Kim's longstanding goals of securing international acceptance as a nuclear power, reducing US military presence on the Korean Peninsula, expanding state control over the North's economy, and blocking foreign influence." The report warned that in return for its munitions supplies to Russia, North Korea is positioned to gain technical expertise for its weapons developments, which could "accelerate" the North's weapons testing and deployment efforts. In addition, the report said the North Korean leader will threaten to use force when he perceives US and allied actions as challenging the North's sovereignty, undermining his power or aiming to curb his nuclear and missile ambitions. "Kim could escalate to more lethal asymmetric activities if he judged North Korea's efforts at deterrence were not working and he needed to send a stronger message," it said. "He also could resort to these lethal activities if he believed doing so would intimidate South Korea or the United States into changing its policies to be more favorable to the North while minimizing the risk of retaliation." The report raised the possibility of Kim challenging the Northern Limit Line, a de facto inter-Korean sea border. Pyongyang has disputed the NLL as it was unilaterally drawn by the US-led UN Command after the 1950-53 Korean War. "Kim in the past has challenged South Korea's de facto maritime boundary claims and may do so again, raising the prospects of renewed clashes along the NLL," it said. On Russia's war in Ukraine, the report said that continuing the war "perpetuates" strategic risks to the US of unintended escalation to large-scale war, the potential use of nuclear weapons, heightened insecurity among North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, and a "more emboldened" China and North Korea. Meanwhile, Gabbard noted the intelligence community's concerns over collaboration among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea against US interests. "The IC sees China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea engaging in activities that could challenge US capabilities and interests, especially related to our security and economy," she said.
