Russia's Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the courage of his soldiers who have been fighting in Ukraine on the Russian side. Kim, in response, said he was willing to do everything I can to assist Russia. The two leaders met on Wednesday in Beijing as China held one of its largest ever military parades, which marked 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Asia. Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stated that bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea are friendly and that Pyongyang's military helped to liberate the Kursk region.
Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically, Putin told Kim during the talks. He added that he would never forget the sacrifices made by North Korean forces and their families. Kim expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment and mentioned that relations between the two countries are advancing across various sectors. He stated, If there is any way we can assist Russia, we will certainly do it as a fraternal duty.
South Korea estimates that North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to support Russia, accompanied by missiles and long-range weapons. In return, North Korea is believed to have received food, money, and technical support from Russia. There are concerns over the high casualty rate among these troops, as recent reports suggested that approximately 4,700 North Korean soldiers sustained heavy casualties, including over 600 deaths.
This meeting marked the third interaction between Putin and Kim in two years, during which they have strengthened their cooperation, particularly amid ongoing military tensions in Ukraine. Kim had previously pledged unconditional support for Russia and reaffirmed North Korea's commitment to provide manpower for various efforts, including reconstruction in war-torn regions like Kursk. Last week, Kim met with the families of North Korean soldiers who died in combat, expressing sorrow over their losses and vowing to honor their sacrifice.
Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically, Putin told Kim during the talks. He added that he would never forget the sacrifices made by North Korean forces and their families. Kim expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment and mentioned that relations between the two countries are advancing across various sectors. He stated, If there is any way we can assist Russia, we will certainly do it as a fraternal duty.
South Korea estimates that North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to support Russia, accompanied by missiles and long-range weapons. In return, North Korea is believed to have received food, money, and technical support from Russia. There are concerns over the high casualty rate among these troops, as recent reports suggested that approximately 4,700 North Korean soldiers sustained heavy casualties, including over 600 deaths.
This meeting marked the third interaction between Putin and Kim in two years, during which they have strengthened their cooperation, particularly amid ongoing military tensions in Ukraine. Kim had previously pledged unconditional support for Russia and reaffirmed North Korea's commitment to provide manpower for various efforts, including reconstruction in war-torn regions like Kursk. Last week, Kim met with the families of North Korean soldiers who died in combat, expressing sorrow over their losses and vowing to honor their sacrifice.
