North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister to discuss military cooperation

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In a bid to bolster military cooperation, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un convened a meeting with Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, according to official North Korean media on Thursday. This meeting is seen as a symbolic gesture of support for Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, coinciding with North Korea’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the armistice that suspended the Korean War in the early 1950s.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) disclosed that Kim and Shoigu, during their meeting in Pyongyang, came to a mutual agreement on certain undisclosed defense and security-related matters along with the overall international security situation. In the meeting, Shoigu reportedly presented a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the specifics of their military-related discussions weren’t detailed.

North Korea has previously shown solidarity with Russia over the Ukraine war, attributing Moscow’s military actions to the West’s coercive policies. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia, a claim that North Korea rejects. The KCNA affirmed that the Kim-Shoigu meeting would intensify strategic cooperation between the two nations, particularly concerning defense and security.

Amid the pandemic, North Korea welcomed Russian and Chinese representatives to commemorate the armistice on July 27, 1953. Although the ceasefire left the Korean Peninsula in a state of ongoing conflict, North Korea considers it a victory in their “Grand Fatherland Liberation War”.

The KCNA revealed that Kim accompanied Shoigu to an exhibition of North Korea’s advanced weaponry and disclosed plans to enhance the nation’s military capabilities. The exhibition included what seemed to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that North Korea recently tested and possibly new drones yet to be announced publicly.

In response to queries on whether Shoigu’s visit was to explore potential weapon imports from North Korea, John Kirby, the White House’s National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, refrained from direct comment but suggested Putin’s outreach to other nations for support in Ukraine.

Experts conjecture that North Korea is using current international tensions as a chance to break free from diplomatic isolation and forge a united front against the US. Notably, both Moscow and Beijing have been thwarting US-led attempts to enforce stronger UN sanctions on North Korea following their repeated missile tests since 2022.

Despite being expected to end Thursday’s celebrations with a grand military parade, state media has yet to confirm such plans. The last time North Korea welcomed foreign delegates for a military parade was back in 2018, which was more subdued and excluded Kim’s ICBMs, coinciding with the initiation of diplomatic talks with Seoul and Washington.

After an unsuccessful summit with former US President Donald Trump in 2019, Kim has been focusing on the expansion of his nuclear arsenal, which he views as his best guarantee of survival, while expressing resentment towards the US’s stringent sanctions.

China’s delegation to North Korea is led by politburo member Li Hongzhong, who also handed over a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kim. At a reception, Li expressed China’s eagerness to cultivate a “sound and stable” relationship with North Korea.

Analysts suggest Kim’s joint presence with Shoigu and Li at a potential military parade could be seen as a significant achievement for North Korea, signaling defiance towards the US. Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam aimed at strengthening defense cooperation, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.

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More about Kim Jong Un and Sergei Shoigu meeting

• North Korea’s Recent Interactions with Russia
• Context on North Korea’s Support for Russia
• Background on North Korea’s Nuclear Program
• Details about the Armistice of July 27, 1953
• Information on Russia’s Involvement in Ukraine
• Background on US-North Korea Relations
• Details about the Korean War