Russian Defense Minister Visits North Korea for Talks Amid Growing Military Cooperation
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on November 29, 2024, for high-level talks with North Korean military and political leaders, signaling an intensification of military cooperation between the two countries. The visit comes amid increasing collaboration over Russia's war in Ukraine.
Arriving in North Korea on November 29, 2024, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov marked an escalation of military cooperation between the two nations by attending high-level negotiations with North Korean military and political leaders. The visit coincides with growing cooperation over Russia's conflict in Ukraine.
North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol welcomed Belousov, exhibiting pictures of a ceremonial meeting at Pyongyang's airport. Following a June summit whereby Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement aiming at balancing regional power and lowering war risks, particularly nuclear threats, the visit emphasizes the growing connections between Moscow and Pyongyang.
North Korean personnel sent to Russia and the transfer of artillery systems, missiles, and other materiel to assist Russia's war effort constitute part of the increasing military cooperation. While some of these soldiers are allegedly engaged in fighting in Ukraine, there are questions over the possible transfer of Russian military technology to North Korea, so improving its nuclear and missile capacity.
Emphasizing the mutual trust between Russia and North Korea, Belousov echoed North Korea's endorsement of Russia's activities in Ukraine and characterized them as a "just struggle." This coincides with rising tensions in the area, particularly with South Korea, who has voiced worries over North Korea's growing military connections to Russia.
The visit tracks previous South Korean actions aimed at strengthening its defense, including intercepting Chinese and Russian jets close to its air defense identification zone. Experts believe that Russia-North Korea military cooperation is expanding in violation of international law, so causing further instability in the area.
