Pyongyang: In a significant diplomatic move, North Korea’s top diplomat has expressed the nation’s warm readiness to host Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a notable deepening of ties between the two authoritarian states. Against the backdrop of Western accusations of collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang in supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, recent meetings between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin underscore the evolving alliance.
The alliance has seen North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui engaging in discussions with both Putin and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during her recent visit to Moscow. According to a statement from the foreign minister’s assistant office, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, Choe warmly welcomed the prospect of Putin visiting Pyongyang, expressing the North Korean government’s readiness to greet him with utmost sincerity.
In response, Putin conveyed his willingness to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official name of North Korea, at an early date. The statement also highlighted Russia’s appreciation for North Korea’s support and solidarity regarding the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
The growing military and economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea have raised concerns in Washington and Seoul. Notably, high-ranking Russian officials, including the defense and foreign ministers, visited North Korea last year, prompting worries among Kyiv’s allies about potential arms deals.
This month, the White House accused Pyongyang of supplying ballistic missiles and launchers to Russia, characterizing it as a “significant and concerning escalation” in support of Moscow’s war effort. South Korea also alleged that North Korea provided over one million artillery rounds to Moscow in exchange for advice on military satellite technology, which facilitated North Korea’s successful launch of a spy satellite last year with purported Russian assistance.
