Seoul [South Korea], November 30: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un asserted on November 30 that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons was the result of direct US military intervention and that Russia had the right to fight in self-defense.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on November 29, KCNA news agency reported. There, Mr. Kim said: "The US and the West have made the Kyiv government attack Russian territory with their long-range strike weapons." Therefore, Russia should act to make "the hostile forces pay the price."
"The government, army and people of the DPRK will always support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against the hegemonic moves of other countries," KCNA quoted Mr. Kim as saying.
According to KCNA, at the meeting, Mr. Kim pledged to expand relations with Russia in all areas, including military issues under the comprehensive strategic partnership he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.
Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Belousov met with his North Korean counterpart No Kwang-chol to discuss the implementation of the strategic cooperation agreement signed by Moscow and Pyongyang this year. KCNA reported that Kim personally attended a reception hosted by the North Korean Defense Ministry for the Belousov delegation.
Relations between Russia and North Korea have improved significantly since the leaders of the two countries held a summit in September 2023. According to South Korea's intelligence agency, North Korea has shipped more than 10,000 containers of ammunition, as well as self-propelled artillery and multiple rocket launchers.
South Korea's intelligence agency also accused North Korea of sending more than 10,000 troops to Russia, and the number of soldiers has been mobilized to the front line, including Kursk province (Russia) - where fierce battles often take place between Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukraine fired long-range US ATACMS missiles at Russian territory after the Biden administration authorized the use of the weapons this month. In response, Russia launched attacks on Ukraine's energy and military infrastructure.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
