North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his satisfaction with the country’s growing relationship with Russia on Wednesday. There are reports indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to visit North Korea for his third meeting with Kim.
The military, economic, and other forms of cooperation between North Korea and Russia have significantly increased since Kim’s last visit to Russia in September for a meeting with Putin. The United States, South Korea, and their allies suspect that North Korea has provided artillery, missiles, and other weapons to Russia in support of its activities in Ukraine in exchange for military technologies and economic assistance.
Kim is actively seeking to enhance partnerships with Russia and China to strengthen his regional position and present a united front against the United States.
During their meeting at Russia’s main space launch site last September, Kim invited the Russian president to visit North Korea at a suitable time, and Putin accepted the invitation.
Kim recently sent a congratulatory message to Putin on Russia’s National Day, as reported by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
Media reports suggest that Putin may visit North Korea as soon as next week, marking their third summit meeting. Their first summit took place in Vladivostok in April 2019.
Putin has not visited North Korea during his current presidency, which began in 2012. His only visit to the country was in 2000, the year he assumed office and Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong Il, was in power.
Reports from Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing diplomatic sources, indicate that Putin is preparing to visit North Korea and Vietnam next week. Putin is expected to seek enhanced military cooperation with North Korea, as Russia faces weapon shortages in its conflict with Ukraine, while North Korea may seek assistance with space technology following a recent satellite launch failure.
Although the trip has not been officially confirmed, Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora stated that preparations for Putin’s visit to North Korea are underway.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied allegations of arms transfers, which would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. In March, the South Korean Defense Minister reported that North Korea had sent containers of military equipment to Russia in exchange for aid.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated, with North Korea launching balloons toward South Korea and the South resuming propaganda broadcasts in border areas.