North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed expanding relations with Russia on Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin could visit Pyongyang for a third time, according to AP News.
Military, economic and other co-operation between North Korea and Russia increased dramatically after Kim visited Russia last September. Meanwhile, the US, South Korea and its partners believe North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to support its war in Ukraine in exchange for advanced military technology and economic assistance.
Kim Jong Un pushes to expand partnerships with Russia and China in an effort to strengthen his position in the region and create a united front against the United States.
The North Korean leader invited the Russian president to visit North Korea at “a convenient time” during their meeting last September at Russia’s main cosmodrome. Putin agreed.
According to North Korean media, Kim sent Putin a message congratulating Russia on the National Day on Wednesday.
Thanks to the significant meeting between us at the Vostochney Spaceport in September last year, (North Korea)-Russia friendly and cooperative relations developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing unidentified diplomatic sources, reported on Wednesday that Putin was preparing to visit North Korea and Vietnam next week.
Neither Russia nor North Korea confirmed reports of the planned trip. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated at a briefing in late May that “the visit is in the pipeline, and we will make an announcement in due time.”
In March, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Wonsik stated that North Korea had allegedly sent about 7,000 containers of ammunition and other military equipment to Russia. He also said that North Korea had received more than 9,000 Russian containers, likely filled with humanitarian aid.
Recently, tensions on the Korean Peninsula rose again as North Korea launched balloons carrying rubbish towards South Korea. This prompted Seoul to resume propaganda broadcasts in border areas.
