North Korea’s Kim Says He Will ‘Unconditionally Support’ Russia’s War Against Ukraine

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un announced his country will ‘unconditionally support’ Russia’s war against Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. This reflects a strengthening military relationship, highlighted by troop deployments to the Kursk region. Meanwhile, discussions around military cooperation and rebuilding efforts in formerly disputed areas took place, with concerns about advanced military technology transfer from Russia to North Korea persisting.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently declared his country’s unwavering support for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, as reported by state media. In a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, Kim stated that North Korea would “unconditionally support” Russia’s foreign policies, especially regarding crucial international political matters such as the conflict in Ukraine.

This statement indicates a growing partnership between North Korea and Russia, further solidifying their military cooperation. In April, both countries confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, marking the first time in decades that soldiers from both nations fought side by side against Ukraine, particularly in the disputed Kursk region.

During the Wednesday meeting, the two leaders discussed how to enhance their strategic partnership. The Korean Central News Agency reported that they came to a consensus on the ongoing Ukraine issue along with other unspecified international matters. However, details about these discussions remain sparse.

In related developments, Russian state media agency TASS revealed that Shoigu and Kim also spoke about efforts to rebuild the Kursk region and commemorating the contributions of North Korean soldiers. Russia had previously claimed to have fully reclaimed the Kursk region by April 2025, though Ukrainian military sources insist that their forces still maintain a presence there.

Intelligence reports from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine suggest that North Korea sent approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to participate in military operations. More recently, South Korean officials indicated that another 3,000 troops arrived in Russia early this year, which further highlights North Korea’s growing military engagement.

Furthermore, North Korea has been providing a significant amount of conventional weapons to Russia in support of the war efforts. In an apparent exchange, U.S. and South Korean intelligence services fear that Russia may supply North Korea with advanced military technologies, which could potentially bolster North Korea’s nuclear weapons program aimed at its adversaries.

The expanding cooperation between North Korea and Russia, underscored by North Korea’s pledge to support Russia unconditionally in its war against Ukraine, marks a significant shift in geopolitical alignments. With military exchanges already underway, including the dispatch of thousands of troops to Russia, the international community remains concerned about the implications for regional stability and security. Behind closed doors, discussions on broader military and political collaborations continue, heightening tensions in the already complex situation surrounding Ukraine.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com