Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation to visit North Korea, Pyongyang’s official news agency reported.
At the end of a meeting between the two leaders last Wednesday in Russia, Kim Jong-un invited Putin to visit the DPRK. [República Popular Democrática da Coreia] when it is convenient,” KCNA pointed out, using North Korea’s official name.
“Putin amicably accepted the invitation and reaffirmed his unwavering desire to continue promoting the history and tradition of friendship between Russia and the DPRK,” the same source added.
Kim Jong-un met with Vladimir Putin this Wednesday during an exceptional visit to Russia aimed at strengthening their relations, especially with the military.
The leaders of Russia and North Korea met for about two hours in the Russian Far East, the Kremlin announced.
Putin stated that he sees “prospects” for military cooperation with North Korea, despite international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear programs and production of new missiles.
Kim Jong-un expressed his belief in the victory of the army and the people of ‘Greater Russia’ in Ukraine, during a lunch hosted by Putin.
Kim toasted the “new victories of Great Russia,” cited by Russian and international bodies.
US: “If they decide to move forward with some kind of arms deal, there will certainly be repercussions for North Korea”
The United States warned North Korea this Wednesday that no country should help the Russian president “kill innocent Ukrainians,” stressing that Pyongyang will have to bear the consequences if it does.
“If they decide to move forward with any kind of arms treaty, there will certainly be repercussions for North Korea, both from the United States and from the international community,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. at a press conference.
Washington considers it likely that Moscow will seek military equipment.
For Washington, Russia’s approach to North Korea, as well as Iran, which supplies ‘drones’ (unmanned devices) to Moscow, ‘testifies to its desperation’ in the country’s war in Ukraine.
Japan and South Korea were concerned about a possible arms deal between Putin and Kim
Japan and South Korea have expressed concern over a possible arms deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Japan warned of the risk of violating UN sanctions on North Korean weapons.
“We observed [as conversações entre Moscovo e Pyongyang] with concern,” said Japan’s new Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
There is “the possibility that this could lead to a violation of the United Nations Security Council ban on arms-related transactions with North Korea,” he noted.
Representatives of the South Korean government also expressed deep concern about a possible arms exchange and military cooperation agreement between Pyongyang and Moscow.
“We see that relations between Russia and North Korea are becoming closer. The news of possible military cooperation between the two countries is worrying,” Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said during a forum in Krynica, Poland. This is reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Han added that North Korea’s missile development poses a threat not only to East Asia, but also to Europe, as Pyongyang’s missiles have the ability to reach the entire continent.
“We need to know more about the detailed results of the Kim-Putin summit, but we are deeply concerned about military cooperation and arms transactions between the two nations,” US Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho said during a meeting. press conference South Korea, the ministry responsible for relations with the North.
“We once again call on North Korea and Russia to refrain from illegal and reckless acts, which only worsen their isolation, and to respect international norms, including UN Security Council resolutions.”he added.
Source: DN
