Russian Soldiers Receive Medical Treatment in North Korea Amid Strengthening Ties

Russian soldiers wounded in the Ukraine war are receiving free treatment in North Korea, as stated by the Russian ambassador. The two countries have strengthened ties, culminating in a strategic partnership that includes military cooperation. North Korea has provided aid, including medical care for injured soldiers and support for Russian military operations.

According to Alexander Matsegora, Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, Russian soldiers injured during the conflict in Ukraine are receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation in North Korea. This information was disclosed in an interview with the Russian state-controlled media outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta published on February 9, highlighting North Korea’s role as a medical refuge for these soldiers.

Over the past three years, relations between North Korea and Russia have markedly improved, fueled by a shared geopolitical stance against Western countries, which has raised concerns regarding global stability. In the autumn of 2024, both nations formalized a strategic partnership agreement, focusing on enhanced trade, scientific exchange, and defense collaboration, though the treatment of wounded soldiers was not explicitly mentioned in this agreement.

Matsegora emphasized that the treatment provided to Russian military personnel in North Korea is complimentary and occurs in “the best hospitals and sanatoriums.” He noted that “hundreds” of wounded soldiers have been transported to North Korea for care. Furthermore, the ambassador remarked that North Korea was touched when Russia offered compensation for treatment costs, stating, “they were sincerely offended and asked us never to do it again.”

Additionally, the ambassador shared that the children of Russian soldiers who died in Ukraine are vacationing in North Korea, and the two countries are initiating exchanges for university students. He also mentioned Russia’s provision of essential supplies such as coal, food, and medicine to North Korea.

Military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang expanded in 2024, as President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense agreement with Kim Jong-un in June. Following this, North Korea increased its support for Russia’s military operations, supplying weaponry, including artillery ammunition and ballistic missiles, along with the deployment of soldiers. Last autumn, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops were stationed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast to assist in countering a Ukrainian offensive in that region.

In conclusion, the treatment of Russian soldiers in North Korea underscores the deepening military and political alliances between the two countries. The strategic partnership aims to facilitate collaboration across various sectors while reinforcing mutual support in military engagements. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, this relationship poses significant implications for international stability.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com