Shoigu’s Visit to North Korea Signals Deepening Military Ties with Russia
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea to meet Kim Jong Un amid reports of North Korea deploying soldiers to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Their discussions may focus on military cooperation as North Korea continues to supply troops and weapons to Russia. This development comes alongside escalating missile tests by North Korea and heightened tensions from recent US-South Korean military drills.
A senior Russian security official, Sergei Shoigu, has arrived in North Korea to meet with leader Kim Jong Un. This visit follows North Korea’s reported deployment of additional troops to support Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, marking a significant military collaboration between the two nations. Although details about their discussions remain undisclosed, the confirmation of Shoigu’s arrival by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) underscores the growing ties between Russia and North Korea.
Following recent agreements for a limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, North Korea has been reportedly supplying a considerable quantity of conventional weapons to Russia and sent thousands of troops to bolster their efforts. Intelligence sources suggest that around 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers had previously been deployed, with a recent estimate indicating that an additional 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers have also been sent to Russia.
Experts believe that North Korea will continue to enhance its support for Russia, seeking maximum benefits from this partnership as the conflict progresses. Furthermore, analysts speculate that Shoigu’s visit could be connected to discussions of a potential trip for Kim to Russia, following President Putin’s previous invitation during his visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.
Shoigu’s prior engagements in North Korea included a personal tour of an arms exhibition in 2023 and meetings to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation. Concurrently, North Korea has been active in testing new defense systems, such as anti-aircraft missiles, which Kim has described as major advancements in their defense capabilities. However, these tests coincide with recent US-South Korean military drills that North Korea perceives as provocative actions.
In light of these developments, the US and South Korean governments have expressed concerns over North Korea’s military activities and the implications of their cooperation with Russia. Despite former President Trump’s willingness to reinitiate diplomatic discussions, experts predict that Kim is currently focused on supporting Russia’s military initiatives rather than engaging in dialogue. Notably, past diplomatic efforts between Kim and Trump faltered due to disagreements regarding economic sanctions imposed on North Korea.
The visit of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to North Korea highlights the deepening military collaboration between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. With evidence of troop deployments and arms supplies, North Korea looks to strengthen its alliance with Russia for mutual benefits. While Shoigu’s discussions with Kim remain undisclosed, the geopolitical implications of their cooperation could significantly influence regional security dynamics.
Original Source: www.thejournal.ie
