Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu Visits North Korea Again for Talks with Kim Jong-un

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Security Council Secretary, visits North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-un for the second time in six months. His visit follows discussions between Russian and North Korean officials about further political communication, coinciding with North Korea’s military support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict, including troop deployment and technical assistance for drone development.

Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, has arrived in North Korea, marking his second visit in six months. He is scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as reported by South Korean news agency Yonhap on March 21. Russian state media has indicated that Shoigu will discuss matters with Kim and other North Korean officials during this meeting.

This visit follows an earlier trip to North Korea by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The discussions were centered around establishing higher-level political communications. Recent interactions between representatives from North Korea and Russia are occurring amidst reports of North Korea supplying military support to Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Shoigu’s prior visit to Pyongyang occurred in September 2024, where he had a meeting with Kim Jong-un as well. Reports suggest that North Korea has been actively involved in the war against Ukraine, allegedly sending around 12,000 soldiers to Russia. These troops have reportedly engaged in operations in Russia’s Kursk region and were temporarily withdrawn due to significant casualties before being redeployed.

In addition to direct military support, intelligence from South Korea has indicated that North Korea has arranged for additional troop deployments. Moreover, Asian media sources claim that North Korea is receiving technical assistance from Moscow to advance its drone development capabilities.

In summary, Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea signifies increased military and political ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly as both nations engage in discussions that coincide with North Korea’s assistance in the Ukraine conflict. The deployment of North Korean troops for combat in Ukraine further highlights the depth of cooperation between the two nations, alongside ongoing developments in drone technology facilitated by Russia.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua