North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged support for Russia’s “holy struggle” during a summit with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that the US warned could lead to a deal to supply ammunition for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
After visiting the launch site with Putin at a remote space base in Russia’s Far East, Kim expressed “full and unconditional support” and said Pyongyang would always stand with Moscow in the “anti-imperialist” front.
The leaders met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome for a summit that outlined how their interests are aligned in the face of their countries’ separate and increasingly intense confrontation with the United States.
North Korea may have tens of millions of aging artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs that could provide a major boost to Russian forces in Ukraine, analysts say.
But either buying weapons from or providing rocket technology to North Korea would violate international sanctions that Russia has supported in the past.
The decision to meet at the Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important launch center on its own earth, suggests that Kim is seeking Russia’s help developing military reconnaissance satellites, which he describes as vital to boosting his nuclear-capable missile threat.
In recent months, North Korea has repeatedly failed to put its first military spy satellite into orbit.
The two men shook hands and Putin said he was “very happy to see” Kim. Kim’s translator thanked Putin for the warm welcome, “despite being busy.” via REUTERS
The decision to meet at the Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important launch center on its own soil, suggests that Kim is seeking Russia’s help in developing military reconnaissance satellites, which he describes as vital to boosting his nuclear-capable missile threat.AP
Putin greeted Kim’s limousine, which was brought from Pyongyang in the North Korean leader’s special armored train, at the entrance of the launch facility with a handshake that lasted about 40 seconds.
In his opening remarks, Putin welcomed Kim to Russia and said he was happy to see him, saying the talks would cover economic cooperation, humanitarian issues and “the situation in the region.”
Kim expressed support for Moscow’s efforts to defend its interests, in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine.
“Russia is launching a holy struggle to defend its sovereignty, security interests and justice,” the North Korean leader said. “I take this opportunity to emphasize that we will always stand with Russia in the anti-imperialist front.”
The two leaders will inspect the cosmodrome and then sit down for talks, Russian state media reported. via REUTERS
Kim’s personal train stopped at Khasan, a station on the Russia-North Korea border, early Tuesday where it was met by a military honor guard and a brass band.KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
Vladimir Putin shows the Vostochny Cosmodrome during Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia.via REUTERS
The two men began their meeting with a tour of the Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility, where Kim peppered Russian space officials with questions about the rocket.
Kim and Putin later met with their delegations and later one-on-one, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
After the talks, the Russian president hosted an official lunch for Kim, Russian state media reported.
The meeting came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea, continuing a highly provocative run of North Korean weapons tests since early 2022, as Kim used the disruption caused by Putin’s war on Ukraine to speed up his weapons development.
Kim said his decision to visit Russia four years after his previous visit shows how Pyongyang “prioritises the strategic importance” of its relationship with Moscow, North Korea’s official news agency said today. via REUTERS
Kim Jong Un meets with Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Alexander Kozlov at Khasan Railway station ahead of North Korean leader Putin’s visit.KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say how far the North Korean missile flew.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, said the missile landed in waters outside the country’s exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to ships or aircraft.
Official photos show that Kim was accompanied by Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and navy Adm.
Kim Myong Sik, who is linked to North Korea’s efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry.
In his opening remarks, Putin welcomed Kim to Russia and said he was happy to see him, saying the talks would cover economic cooperation, humanitarian issues and “the situation in the region.”POOL/AFP via Getty Images
North Korea may have tens of millions of aging artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs that could provide a major boost to Russian forces in Ukraine.via REUTERS
Asked if Russia would help North Korea build satellites, Putin was quoted by Russian state media as saying “that’s why we came here. DPRK leaders show a keen interest in rocket technology. They are also trying to develop space,” using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Asked about military cooperation, Putin said “we will talk about all issues without haste.” Have time.”
Kim also brought Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of missile policy, who joined him on a recent tour of factories that produce artillery shells and missiles, according to South Korea.
Despite North Korea’s recent spate of missile launches, Wednesday’s launch ahead of the summit came as a surprise.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visit the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region on Sept. 13, 2023. via REUTERS
South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said it was the first time North Korea had fired a missile while Kim was traveling abroad.
Kim could have ordered the launch to tell Putin about North Korea’s defense posture and demonstrate that he remains in control of the country’s military activities even while abroad, said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.
Moon, a retired South Korean brigadier general who took part in recent inter-Korean military talks, said the North with the launch may also intend to express its anger at the United States, after State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a press briefing that Putin was meeting “pariahs international to ask for help in the war.”
The United States accuses North Korea of providing weapons to Russia, including selling artillery shells to the Russian mercenary group, Wagner. Both Russian and North Korean officials deny such claims.
Kim also brought Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of missile policy, who joined him on a recent tour of factories that produce artillery shells and missiles, according to South Korea. via REUTERS
After visiting the launch site with Putin at a remote space base in Russia’s Far East, Kim expressed “full and unconditional support” and said Pyongyang would always stand with Moscow in the “anti-imperialist” face. via REUTERS
The meeting came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea, extending a highly provocative run of North Korean weapons tests since early 2022, as Kim used the distraction caused by Putin’s war on Ukraine to speed up his weapons development.Razvozhayev/ e2w
Speculation about military cooperation grew after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea in July.
Kim later toured his weapons factory, which experts say has the dual purpose of promoting North Korea’s weapons modernization and inspecting artillery and other supplies that could be exported to Russia.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
