North Korean Leader's 'Full Support' for Moscow in Ukraine War

During Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang, the leaders of Russia and North Korea signed a defense agreement, with Kim Jong Un declaring his 'full support' for Moscow in its military invasion of Ukraine. In their meeting on Wednesday, June 20, Kim referred to the Russian president as 'the dearest friend of the Korean people' and expressed North Korea's 'complete support and solidarity' with the Russian government in the Ukraine war. Putin thanked Kim, whose country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 due to its prohibited weapons programs, and stated that Moscow appreciates North Korea's 'consistent and unwavering' support. According to the Russian president, the two countries will not tolerate the West's 'extortionate' sanctions and called for a review of UN sanctions against North Korea. Putin stated, 'The borderless and restrictive regime against North Korea, created by the US and its allies in the UN Security Council, must be reviewed.' He also mentioned that Moscow and Pyongyang are fighting against 'US hegemony' and praised North Korea for its 'balanced position' regarding the Ukraine war. Putin emphasized, 'Today we are fighting together against the imperialism and new colonial practices of the US and its satellites.' Kim Jong Un's reception of Vladimir Putin at Pyongyang airport was part of a strategic treaty signed during the summit, marking Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years. In a press conference in the North Korean capital, Putin described the agreement as 'truly a document of progress.' He also stated that Russia does not reject military-technical cooperation with North Korea in relation to the treaty signed on Wednesday. The two countries have been allies since the establishment of North Korea after World War II, and this alliance has strengthened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which isolated Moscow globally. The United States and its allies have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, raising concerns about further arms deliveries to Moscow. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, stated on Monday, June 18, that North Korea has sent dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of ammunition to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. According to Miller, Putin has turned to Iran and North Korea for weapons out of 'desperation' to compensate for lost arms on the Ukrainian front. Russia and North Korea have denied any arms cooperation between them. John Kirby, the White House National Security Advisor, also stated on Monday that the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea could impact the security of the Korean Peninsula. The Pyongyang government has been under UN sanctions for nearly two decades due to its nuclear tests and ballistic missiles. Russia's position as a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power is significant in preventing the expansion of sanctions against North Korea.