Putin Visits North Korea, Pledges Cooperation Amid Sanctions Pressure

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking his first visit to the reclusive nation in 24 years. The visit underscores deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amidst heightened international scrutiny over their military cooperation and shared opposition to U.S.-led sanctions.

Ahead of his arrival, North Korean state media published an op-ed by Putin expressing gratitude for North Korea's steadfast support of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Putin emphasized mutual cooperation in countering what he described as Western efforts to obstruct a multipolar global order based on sovereignty and justice.In Pyongyang, streets were adorned with Russian flags and portraits of Putin, reflecting the warm welcome by North Korean authorities. Putin pledged to expand trade and financial systems independent of Western control, aiming to mitigate the impact of sanctions imposed on both countries.

The visit comes amid growing concerns that North Korea has been supplying military equipment to Russia in exchange for economic assistance, potentially enhancing Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities. These exchanges have drawn criticism from the United States and South Korea, who accuse Russia of circumventing U.N. sanctions.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, voiced concern over the implications of enhanced military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, citing potential threats to regional security and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.Meanwhile, South Korea's Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of ensuring that any collaboration between Russia and North Korea complies with international sanctions and does not destabilize regional peace.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months, marked by North Korean weapons tests and joint military exercises involving the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The situation has further deteriorated with incidents like South Korea's military firing warning shots at North Korean soldiers crossing the border.After his visit to North Korea, Putin is scheduled to travel to Vietnam for trade-focused discussions, amid criticism from the United States over Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine.