North Korea's main state propaganda agency claimed on Sunday that Russian strongman Vladimir Putin has informed the country's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui that he intends to visit Pyongyang “at the earliest.”
Communist dictator Kim Jong-un reportedly invited President Putin to North Korea during a tour of eastern Russia in September. Kim's rail visit to Russia is the first since the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, and Putin is expected to be the first world leader to visit North Korea since the pandemic.
Kim previously welcomed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese senior Politburo member Li Hongzhong to Pyongyang in July to attend a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1953 Korean War armistice. North Korea is falsely celebrating the deal as a “victory” in what is technically an ongoing war. war. It was the first visit of this kind since 2020.
The Russian government welcomed Foreign Minister Choi from January 15th to 17th, and scheduled meetings with President Putin and several other senior Russian government officials, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
File/Russian strongman Vladimir Putin hosts reception for North Korean communist dictator Kim Jong Un in Russia's Far East, September 13, 2023 (Getty)
In his conversation with the dictator, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, “President Putin once again expressed his deep gratitude to Chairman Kim Jong Un for inviting him to visit Pyongyang at a convenient time.'' “It represented.'' report. President Putin “expresses his desire to visit North Korea'' [North Korea] In the early stages. “
KCNA added, “The North Korean government warmly welcomes President Putin's visit to Pyongyang and stands ready to greet the president, who is the closest friend of the South Korean people, with the utmost sincerity.”
KCNA did not provide details on what specific “early dates” Putin was considering for such a visit. The Kremlin confirmed on Sunday that logistical preparations for President Putin's visit to North Korea are underway.
Russia's TASS news agency reported, “Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the schedule for President Putin's visit to North Korea is being arranged through diplomatic channels.'' report.
President Putin has not visited North Korea, which is under the leadership of dictator Kim.his last visit was Occurred In 2000 during the regime of his father, Kim Jong Il.
Elsewhere in the KCNA article, state media celebrated “ushering in a new blossoming of North Korea-Russia friendship by revitalizing bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields.”
File/April 25, 2019 Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchange gifts after a meeting on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island in the port of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. (ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty) )
The Korean Central News Agency referred to Choi's comments in a meeting with Russian officials, saying, “The North Korean side recognizes the important mission and role of the powerful Russian Federation in maintaining global strategic stability and balance. “I highly appreciated it,'' he added, “expressing the expectations of the Russian Federation.'' Japan will continue to adhere to its independent policies and lines in all fields, and will greatly contribute to international peace and security and the establishment of an equal and just international order. ”
According to KCNA, Choi also specifically conveyed North Korea's full support for Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and said that he and Russian leaders would “prevent the negative impact of the irresponsible and unjustified provocations of the United States and its allied forces.” ” was criticized.
Russia and North Korea are increasingly eager to admire each other in public office. Kim made a point of inviting Defense Minister Shoigu as his first high-profile post-pandemic guest in July, offering him a personal tour of an arms exhibition, and the new warmth in bilateral relations is partly to blame. suggested to foreign observers that it was driven in part by interest in North Korea. Buy each other's weapons.
“Kim Jong Un inspected new weapons and equipment together with Sergei Shoigu.'' labor newspaperThe state newspaper of the communist state of North Korea reported this in July. “Informed the Russian Minister of Defense about the weapons and equipment invented and produced…Kim Jong-un shared comments with Sergei Shoigu about global trends in weapons development and its strategies.”
In September, President Putin toured Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's most advanced space launch facility, with Kim and reportedly showed them Russian satellite technology.
“North Korea's leaders have shown great interest in rocketry. They are also working on space exploration,” Putin told reporters.
Meanwhile, Kim used the opportunity to predict a quick victory for Russia in its nearly two-year invasion of Ukraine.
“I am deeply confident that the heroic Russian military and people will brilliantly inherit the tradition of victory,'' Kim said, adding, “We will confidently demonstrate irreplaceable dignity and honor on the front lines of special military operations.'' I'm sure he'll give it to me,'' he said.
“Special Military Operation” is the official name for the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine.
File/2023/09/13:/ Television screens show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Amur region during a news program at Russia's Yongsan Station A report of the meeting is shown. Seoul, South Korea. (Kim Jaehwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
“The Russian military and the Russian people will surely achieve a great victory in the sacred struggle to punish the great evil that claims hegemony and promotes expansionist fantasies,” Kim said. Added.
The Russian government gave Kim gifts including a bulletproof vest, a Russian-made rifle, “five kamikaze drones, and one Guerlain 25 reconnaissance drone,” a clear violation of international sanctions against North Korea. .
“Although there are certain restrictions, Russia complies with all of them,” Putin insisted. “We have things to talk about, discuss and think about. Russia is a self-sufficient country, but there are things that we can draw attention to, and we are talking about them.”
After several failed attempts, North Korea launched its first reconnaissance satellite, dubbed Wanrikyo-1, in November, raising speculation that Russia may have contributed to its success. The communist regime claimed that the satellite was taking pictures of sensitive U.S. military facilities in Guam and outside the White House. The White House is a public space typically surrounded by American media cameras.
Reports have suggested that North Korea is providing Russia with weapons to be used in Ukraine, prompting leniency from Putin's government. In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September, South Korean President Yun Seok-Yeol directly accused Russia of purchasing North Korean weapons.
“Being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is a paradox.” [Russia]”A nation entrusted with being the ultimate guardian of world peace will invade and wage war against other sovereign nations,” Yun said, adding, “A nation entrusted with being the ultimate guardian of world peace will invade and wage war against other sovereign nations,” Yun said. and ammunition.”
“If North Korea obtains the information and technology necessary to strengthen its weapons of mass destruction capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, this agreement could directly threaten the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also South Korea.” It will be a provocation,” he concluded.
Both the Russian and North Korean governments deny the allegations.
