Latest news with #Russian-NorthKorean
AsiaOne
14-07-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
North Korea's Kim, hosting Lavrov, says he will support Russia to resolve Ukraine, Asia News
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday (July 13), as the two countries held high-level strategic talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was on a three-day visit to North Korea, which has provided troops and arms for Russia's war in Ukraine and has pledged more military support as Moscow tries to make advances in the conflict. Kim met Lavrov in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan where the two countries' foreign ministers held their second strategic dialogue, pledging further co-operation under a partnership treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defence pact. Kim told Lavrov the steps taken by the allies in response to radically evolving global geopolitics will contribute greatly to securing peace and security around the world, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported. "Kim Jong-un reaffirmed the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is 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 said. Lavrov earlier held talks with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan, and they issued a joint statement pledging support to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other's country, KCNA said. Later on Sunday, North Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement it stood ready to take military action to counter any security threat, in a warning against South Korea, Japan and the United States following a recent aerial drill by the allies. The warning followed a US B-52 strategic bomber flight near South Korea flanked by the three countries' fighter jets in a defence exercise on Friday. The nuclear-armed North has previously issued similar threats. On Saturday, Lavrov described Russian-North Korean ties as "an invincible fighting brotherhood" in his meeting with Kim and thanked him for the troops deployed to Russia, according to Russian media. Relations between Russia and North Korea have deepened during the last two years of the war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022, with Pyongyang deploying more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign. On Sunday, the intelligence arm of South Korea's Defence Ministry reported to parliament that North Korea continued to supply artillery ammunition to Russia and has so far shipped about 12 million rounds, Yonhap news said. The Defence Intelligence Agency, which made the report of an increased estimate, could not be reached for confirmation. Kim's government has pledged to send about 6,000 military engineers and builders to help reconstruction work in Russia's Kursk region. [[nid:720137]]
Kuwait Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
North Korea's Kim offers support to Russia to resolve Ukraine war
North Korea's Kim offers support to Russia to resolve Ukraine war Lavrov in N Korea for strategic talks • Pyongyang issues fresh warning against US, Japan, S Korea SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to 'unconditionally support' Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday, as the two countries held high-level strategic talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was on a three-day visit to North Korea, which has provided troops and arms for Russia's war in Ukraine and has pledged more military support as Moscow tries to make advances in the conflict. Kim met Lavrov in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan where the two countries' foreign ministers held their second strategic dialogue, pledging further cooperation under a partnership treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defense pact. Kim told Lavrov the steps taken by the allies in response to radically evolving global geopolitics will contribute greatly to securing peace and security around the world, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported. 'Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is 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 said. Lavrov earlier held talks with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan, and they issued a joint statement pledging support to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other's country, KCNA said. Later on Sunday, North Korea's Defense Ministry said in a statement it stood ready to take military action to counter any security threat, in a warning against South Korea, Japan and the United States following a recent aerial drill by the allies. The warning followed a US B-52 strategic bomber flight near South Korea flanked by the three countries' fighter jets in a defense exercise on Friday. The nuclear-armed North has previously issued similar threats. On Saturday, Lavrov described Russian-North Korean ties as 'an invincible fighting brotherhood' in his meeting with Kim and thanked him for the troops deployed to Russia, according to Russian media. Relations between Russia and North Korea have deepened during the last two years of the war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022, with Pyongyang deploying more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign. On Sunday, the intelligence arm of South Korea's Defense Ministry reported to parliament that North Korea continued to supply artillery ammunition to Russia and has so far shipped about 12 million rounds, Yonhap news said. The Defense Intelligence Agency, which made the report of an increased estimate, could not be reached for confirmation. Kim's government has pledged to send about 6,000 military engineers and builders to help reconstruction work in Russia's Kursk region. – Reuters
Japan Today
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
North Korea's Kim, hosting Lavrov, says he will support Russia to resolve Ukraine war
By Jack Kim North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday, as the two countries held high-level strategic talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was on a three-day visit to North Korea, which has provided troops and arms for Russia's war in Ukraine and has pledged more military support as Moscow tries to make advances in the conflict. Kim met Lavrov in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan where the two countries' foreign ministers held their second strategic dialogue, pledging further cooperation under a partnership treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defense pact. Kim told Lavrov the steps taken by the allies in response to radically evolving global geopolitics will contribute greatly to securing peace and security around the world, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported. "Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is 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 said. Lavrov earlier held talks with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan, and they issued a joint statement pledging support to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other's country, KCNA said. Later on Sunday, North Korea's Defense Ministry said in a statement it stood ready to take military action to counter any security threat, in a warning against South Korea, Japan and the United States following a recent aerial drill by the allies. The warning followed a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber flight near South Korea flanked by the three countries' fighter jets in a defence exercise on Friday. The nuclear-armed North has previously issued similar threats. On Saturday, Lavrov described Russian-North Korean ties as "an invincible fighting brotherhood" in his meeting with Kim and thanked him for the troops deployed to Russia, according to Russian media. Relations between Russia and North Korea have deepened during the last two years of the war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022, with Pyongyang deploying more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign. On Sunday, the intelligence arm of South Korea's Defence Ministry reported to parliament that North Korea continued to supply artillery ammunition to Russia and has so far shipped about 12 million rounds, Yonhap news said. The Defense Intelligence Agency, which made the report of an increased estimate, could not be reached for confirmation. Kim's government has pledged to send about 6,000 military engineers and builders to help reconstruction work in Russia's Kursk region. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Nikkei Asia
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Kim tells Lavrov that North Korea will help Russia resolve Ukraine war
SEOUL (Reuters) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday, as the two countries held high-level strategic talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was on a three-day visit to North Korea, which has provided troops and arms for Russia's war in Ukraine and has pledged more military support as Moscow tries to make advances in the conflict. Kim met Lavrov in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, where the two countries' foreign ministers held their second strategic dialogue, pledging further cooperation under a partnership treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defense pact. Kim told Lavrov the steps taken by the allies in response to radically evolving global geopolitics will contribute greatly to securing peace and security around the world, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported. "Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the DPRK [the Democratic People's Republic of Korea] is 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 said. Lavrov earlier held talks with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui, in Wonsan, and they issued a joint statement pledging support to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other's country, KCNA said. Later on Sunday, North Korea's Defense Ministry said in a statement it stood ready to take military action to counter any security threat, in a warning against South Korea, Japan and the United States following a recent aerial drill by the allies. The warning followed a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber flight near South Korea flanked by the three countries' fighter jets in a defense exercise on Friday. The nuclear-armed North has previously issued similar threats. On Saturday, Lavrov described Russian-North Korean ties as "an invincible fighting brotherhood" in his meeting with Kim and thanked him for the troops deployed to Russia, according to Russian media. Relations between Russia and North Korea have deepened during the last two years of the war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022, with Pyongyang deploying more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign. On Sunday, the intelligence arm of South Korea's Defense Ministry reported to parliament that North Korea continued to supply artillery ammunition to Russia and has so far shipped about 12 million rounds, Yonhap news said. The Defense Intelligence Agency, which made the report of an increased estimate, could not be reached for confirmation. Kim's government has pledged to send about 6,000 military engineers and builders to help reconstruction work in Russia's Kursk region.
Egypt Independent
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
North Korea's Kim Jong Un restates unconditional support for ‘all' Russian actions in Ukraine
CNN — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un restated he 'unconditionally' supports all Russian actions during its war in Ukraine, as he welcomed Moscow's top diplomat to a newly built beach resort on his country's east coast. Kim met Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the North Korean city of Wonsan, at a time when Pyongyang is being pulled deeper into the three-year conflict. During the meeting, Kim reaffirmed his government's commitment to 'unconditionally support and encourage all measures' that Russia takes in Ukraine, the Associated Press reported, citing the official Korean Central News Agency. Photos released by Russia's Foreign Ministry showed the two men smiling and shaking hands, and sitting across from each other at a small circular table in the cabin of a yacht. Lavrov's trip comes at a crucial time for Russian-North Korean relations, with Pyongyang set to deploy an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow's scaled-up assault on Ukraine, according to Ukrainian intelligence – adding to the estimated 11,000 soldiers Pyongyang sent last year. It also comes as the United States has grown increasingly frustrated with Russia. US President Donald Trump has accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of throwing 'bullsh*t' at peace talks, and pledged more support for Kyiv. The trip could further strengthen an alliance that has the potential to reshape not only the war but the security dynamic in Asia. Russia's Foreign Ministry posted on X that Putin sent 'his warm greetings' to Kim, 'and reaffirms commitment to all the previous agreements.' Lavrov, who arrived in North Korea on Friday for a three-day visit, also met with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan Saturday, Russia's foreign ministry said on Telegram. 'We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis,' Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian state media agency TASS at a press conference following that meeting. 'Our Korean friends confirmed their firm support for all the objectives of the special military operation, as well as for the actions of the Russian leadership and armed forces.' As to what Pyongyang gets in return for such support, Robert Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea, said 'the real concern… is what are the North Koreans getting on the weapons of mass destruction program?' Despite years of diplomacy and sanctions intended to stop its nuclear program, the Kim regime is thought to possess multiple nuclear weapons, as well as missiles that can potentially reach the United States. 'Are the Russians giving the North Koreans guidance technology, are they giving it warhead reentry technology, perhaps they are giving it drone technology,' Kelly told CNN's Brian Abel. Moscow is also likely paying the impoverished nation 'at minimum a per head, a per capita, price for each North Korean soldier that's been deployed,' Kelly said. Sending soldiers 'about whom the North Korean regime doesn't care at all,' in exchange for extremely 'valuable technological stuff from the Russians,' is a 'really, really good boost for the North Koreans because they're getting something that they can't make locally,' he said. At the start of his meeting with Choe, Lavrov said he hoped Russian tourists would soon be able to visit the Wonsan resort, opened last month and hailed by state media as a 'national treasure-level tourism city.' Footage circulated online on October 18, 2024, shows North Korean troops at a training range in Sergeyevka, Primorsky Krai, Russia. EyePress News/Reuters 'I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here. We will do everything we can to facilitate this, creating conditions for this, including air travel,' Lavrov said, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. According to KCNA, Kim personally cut the ribbon on the sprawling Kalma beachside resort with waterparks, high-rise hotels, and accommodation for nearly 20,000 guests – a sweeping display of extravagance in one of the world's most reclusive nations. The Kalma beach resort is next to an international airport, another indication the project is aimed at attracting foreign currency. Last year, small groups of Russian tourists visited North Korea for three-day ski holidays at Maskiryong resort, which has been a long-standing tourist attraction since its opening in December 2013. Lavrov departed North Korea Sunday and arrived in China, where he will take part in a meeting of foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states, Russia's foreign ministry said. Integrated into Russia's war Despite sustaining heavy battlefield losses, North Korea has become increasingly integrated into Russia's war. An estimated 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in Russia, according to Western officials. On the ground in the Russian border region of Kursk, where North Korean soldiers helped repel Ukraine's incursion last year, the reclusive state's soldiers are reportedly living in dugouts, fighting – and dying – alongside Russian troops. Satellite images obtained by CNN showed cargo planes and troop transport ships moving between North Korea and Russia, hinting at major military logistics underway. Facing shortages on the front line, even as its own factories work round-the-clock, Russia has become reliant on North Korea for additional weaponry. Training manuals for North Korean artillery have been translated into Russian, in a sign of both the ubiquity of the weapons and the increasing interoperability between Moscow's and Pyongyang's armed forces. A report from 11 UN member states last month said that Pyongyang sent at least 100 ballistic missiles and 9 million artillery shells to Russia in 2024. Russia has intensified its aerial assault on Ukraine in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said Saturday that Russia had overnight launched its second largest aerial assault on the country since the beginning of Moscow's invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia had launched 26 cruise missiles and 597 drones in the attack, killing at least two people in the western city of Chernivtsi. Most of the drones and over 20 missiles were 'neutralized,' he said. Russian attacks in Ukraine continued into the daytime on Saturday, with a further eight people killed in various parts of the country, according to regional officials. On Wednesday, Moscow launched a record 728 drones and 13 missiles. The next day, Russian drones attacked the capital Kyiv from all directions in an apparent new tactic that tested Ukraine's strained defenses.
