Kim Jong Un’s Six-Day Russia Visit Seals Military Cooperation Amidst Western Concerns

Kim Jong Un Leader of North Korea has decided to start supplying Russia with its latest KN-09 multiple launch missile systems, a system similar to HIMARS. The US recently warned S. Korea that supplying arms to Russia will have serious consequences

North Korea will supply Russia with about 10 million shells of 122 and 155 mm caliber , – political scientist Yuri Baranchik According to the expert, the deal will also include improved “analogues” of the American HIMARS, capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 400 km.

Kim Jong Un’s Trip End

The rare six-day visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia has come to an end, strengthening ties with President Vladimir Putin and igniting fears in the West about potential weapon transfers amid the situation in Ukraine. During his visit, which started on Tuesday, Kim and Putin exchanged symbolic weapons as well as conversations on military cooperation. It raises concerns that Moscow and Pyongyang may break Western sanctions to win an arms deal that could potentially boost Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine as it is Kim’s first official trip outside since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In remarks shown on national television on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared his country’s intention to continue working with North Korea despite UN sanctions. He highlighted that the Security Council, not Russia itself, had imposed the sanctions. Using North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to fostering equitable interactions with that nation.

The governor of Primorye, a territory bordering China and North Korea, gave Kim a number of noteworthy gifts before he left Vladivostok. These consisted of a drone for reconnaissance, five explosive drones, and a bulletproof vest. Kim went to the Far Eastern State University as well as the nearby oceanarium, where she enjoyed the walrus exhibition.

Alexander Kozlov, the Russian Natural Resources Minister who accompanied Kim Jong Un, summarized their extensive discussions while they were in town. Kozlov added that they had discussed boosting food supplies and restarting regular air travel, however he made no mention of particular agreements on military topics. There were other dormant infrastructure projects on the agenda. To further demonstrate their commitment to promoting collaboration, government representatives from both countries agreed to meet in Pyongyang in November.

Kim said goodbye to a Russian delegation from his heavily armored train as his visit to Russia came to a conclusion, as shown on official Russian television footage. The Russian march “Farewell of Slavianka” was played as people left the area. Historical allies Russia and North Korea are both subject to international sanctions; Pyongyang for its nuclear weapon tests and Moscow for its offensive in the Ukraine.

In Vladivostok on Saturday, Kim met with Sergei Shoigu, the defense minister of Russia. They examined cutting-edge armaments, including a hypersonic missile system, during their encounter. Before boarding a vessel, they could be seen grinning as they looked over Russia’s nuclear bombers at an airport. Later, photos of a beaming Kim with Shoigu and their respective delegations while donning a traditional Russian fur hat were released by the North Korean news agency KCNA.

Kim and Putin spoke at Russia’s brand-new Vostochny cosmodrome, which is located around 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from Moscow. Putin was upbeat about the prospect of enhancing military ties and other forms of collaboration with North Korea after their meeting. For use in the situation in Ukraine, Moscow is thought to be interested in buying North Korean munitions, while Pyongyang is looking to Russia for help in developing its widely denounced missile program. No deal has been signed or will be signed at this time, according to the Kremlin.

Kim’s visit was hailed by the North Korean news agency KCNA as “fervent and warm,” highlighting the beginning of a “new era of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation” between North Korea and Russia. Putin extended the historic promise to send a North Korean into orbit and accepted Kim’s invitation to visit North Korea during their meeting.

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