Russian Security Council Minister Sergei Shoigu has thanked Kim Jong-un for his continued support for North Korea in the fight against Ukraine during today’s visit.
North Korea has provided a large amount of weapons to Russia, including artillery and ballistic missiles, and according to intelligence officials in the United States, South Korea and Ukraine, it has sent up to 12,000 troops to support the Russian army in its fight with Ukraine.
In late February, the South Korean intelligence agency said North Korea was probably sent more troops to Russia. South Korean media has set the number of newly sent troops with about 1,000 to 3,0
“I want to express my gratitude to our Korean friends for solidarity with Russia’s position on all critical geopolitical issues, especially on the Ukraine issue,” Tass said.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, the leftist center, arrived at Pyongyang airport on Friday and was welcomed by party Secretary Park Chung-Con, in a photo provided by the North Korean government ((Cooria News Agency/Services through AP)
Mr. Shoigu stressed that Russia “at a high price of strategic relations between countries and is committed to deepening them.
Intelligence officials suspect North Korea will receive economic and military support from Russia in exchange for its weapons and troops, and experts say the country is likely to increase its support for Russia to get its aid as much as possible before the war ends.
A day before the Russian delegation’s visit, North Korea said it had test-fired new anti-aircraft missiles and threatened to take heavy steps against the United States and South Korea because of its recent joint exercises.
Kim, the Korean Central News Agency, said Kim took over the country on Thursday and called the missiles “another major defense weapons systems” for the country.
This photo was taken on March 20, 2025, North Korean President Kim Jong-un (R) nampo test in NAAMPO (KCNA) through KNS/AFP through Getty Image.
This is the sixth time that North Korea has test-fired weapons, with the United States and South Korea that have been in a 11-day joint military exercise on the same day.
US and South Korean officials have described the freedom shield exercise as a defensive nature, but North Korea says it is a major security threat.
A spokesman for the unidentified ministry said the United States and South Korea would face “the most variable results they don’t want” if they commit similar exciting actions again.
Mr. Shoigu’s visit comes after Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire with Ukraine after Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump, but there is still still when it may be affected and what a possibility of a possibility of attack on the border.
Following US talks with Russia and Ukraine, strikes continued across Ukraine and Russian territory, accusing the Russian army of bombing its gas pipeline in an attempt to break any ceasefire agreement.
Some observers say Mr. Shoigu’s trip could be related to Kim’s possible journey to Russia. In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and signed a major joint defense treaty with Kim, and invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Moscow.
With additional report on AP