After the signing of a mutual defense treaty, ties between Pyongyang and Moscow are strengthening: Kim Jong-un met with Russia's natural resources minister yesterday at a time when North Korea is accused of sending soldiers in Russia to fight Ukrainian troops.
During his meeting with Russian Minister Alexander Kozlov, the North Korean leader called for "greater development of trade, economic, scientific and technological intergovernmental exchange,", reports the North Korean regime's official agency KCTA.
The meeting took place on the same day that a delegation from a Russian military academy arrived in Pyongyang, KCTA reported, without providing further details.
The two countries recently ratified the mutual defense treaty signed in June during one of Vladimir Putin's rare visits to Pyongyang. It provides for "immediate military assistance" and "mutual assistance in case of aggression against a party to the treaty".
The US and South Korea have accused North Korea of sending more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine.
On November 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that North Korean troops had "engaged in hostilities" and have given "sacrifices" in the Russian Kursk region bordering Ukraine.
North Korean military support for Russia has been cited, particularly by French President Emmanuel Macron, as a contributing factor to the US greenlighting Kiev to use US long-range missiles against Russia.
"Pyongyang and Moscow will claim the legitimacy of the deployment of the North Korean army in Russia and argue that this action is justified by the treaty ratified by the two countries," said Hong Min of the South Korea-based Institute for National Reunification. "although their treaty does not override UN resolutions prohibiting such cooperation".
According to the expert, the ratification of the treaty allows for the "deployment of additional and potentially larger forces" by North Korean soldiers in Russia.
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Analysts say North Korea's involvement in the Russian military campaign has worried Beijing, Pyongyang's main ally and trading partner, about its security implications, although China and Russia have strengthened diplomatic, economic and political ties in recent years. using the personal friendship between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
At the G20 meeting in Rio yesterday, Beijing remained silent on the issue, although Xi Jinping announced last week to Joe Biden that China would defend its "fundamental interests" on the peninsula.
Russia could also allow North Korea access to its vast natural resources, such as oil and gas.
The West fears that Russia may send Pyongyang, in exchange for its support, technological assistance that could contribute to the development of its nuclear program.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hye recently visited Moscow and announced that her country "will firmly support" his "Russian comrades until the day of victory".
She defined the Russian offensive against Ukraine as a "holy struggle" and stated that Pyongyang believes in the "wise direction" of Vladimir Putin.
Questioned publicly about the deployment of North Korean troops last month, the Russian head of state did not deny but preferred to deflect the question by criticizing Western support for Ukraine.
Translation from French: Asen Georgiev, BTA