Kim of North Korea and Russian Defense Minister agreed to intensify military ties

SEOUL: Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and agreed to step up military cooperation between the two isolated countries, Pyongyang state media reported on Saturday (Nov 30).

The United States and South Korea have accused nuclear-armed North Korea of ​​sending more than 10,000 troops to help Russia fight Ukraine, with experts saying Kim is seeking advanced technology and combat experience for his troops in return.

Kim, who met Belousov on Friday, criticized Western powers’ recent decision to allow Kyiv to strike Russia with its weapons, saying it constituted “direct military intervention in the conflict,” KCNA reported.

“Decisive action that will force hostile forces to pay the price is realizing Russia’s right to self-defense,” Kim said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim signed a strategic partnership agreement in June that commits both countries to provide military assistance “immediately” in the event of an attack on the other side and to jointly resist Western sanctions.

KCNA said on Saturday that Belousov’s visit “will greatly contribute to strengthening the defense capabilities of the two countries and… promote friendly, mutual cooperation and the development of relations between the two armies.”

Belousov in his statement expressed gratitude for the deep ties between the two countries and praised North Korea’s “absolutely independent foreign policy.”