On Friday, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin, inspected the factory producing the most modern fighter jets in the country, according to TASS news agency.
The factory takes place during Kim’s extended trip to Russia on his armoured train. The North Korean leader’s visit and meeting with Putin sparked rumours that the DPRK plans to supply Moscow with ammunition for military action in Ukraine in exchange for Russian advanced weapons or technology.
The two countries are deepening ties amid growing isolation and confrontation with the West and the United States.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published a video showing Kim Jong Un’s armoured train approaching a station in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. According to TASS, the North Korean leader, accompanied by local officials, headed to a factory producing Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets.
Putin said Kim would travel to Vladivostok to inspect Russia’s Pacific Fleet, university and other facilities.
The summit between Kim and Putin took place this week at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important domestic launch centre. North Korea was reportedly trying to launch an operational spy satellite into space to monitor US and South Korean military activity.
Since last year, the United States has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with ammunition, artillery shells and missiles, most of which are likely copies of Soviet-era munitions. Experts believe that in exchange for ammunition supply, Kim will seek Putin’s help in modernising air force and navy, which is inferior to South Korea’s forces.
South Korean officials said North Korean weapons had already been used by Russia against Ukraine. The United States, South Korea and Japan held a telephone conversation amid concerns about Russian-North Korean military cooperation.
According to the South Korean presidential administration, they warned that Russia and North Korea will “pay a clear price” if they conclude deals on military supplies.
According to the White House, any export of weapons from North Korea to Russia will directly violate numerous UN Security Council resolutions. This also applies to the resolution that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Council, voted in favour of.
