Russia’s Shoigu Visits North Korea Amid Strengthening Ties

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Security Council Secretary, visits North Korea to meet Kim Jong-un, marking his second visit in six months. This meeting follows Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko’s visit, both against the backdrop of North Korea’s military support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has reportedly deployed troops to assist Russia and is receiving military technology support from Moscow.

Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, has visited North Korea for the second occasion within six months to meet with leader Kim Jong-un, as reported by the South Korean news agency, Yonhap. His visit to Pyongyang is taking place on March 21, during which he is scheduled to confer with Kim and other North Korean officials regarding their bilateral relations.

Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko visited North Korea as well, meeting with Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. This discussion reportedly aimed at organizing political contacts at various levels, indicating an intention to strengthen ties amid current geopolitics.

These interactions come amid North Korea’s provision of military assistance to Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Shoigu’s earlier visit to Pyongyang was in September 2024, highlighting the increasing frequency of high-level meetings between the two nations.

Reports indicate that North Korea has deployed around 12,000 troops to Russia to participate in the Ukraine war, specifically engaging in combat in the Kursk region. Although these forces experienced significant losses leading to their temporary withdrawal, the Russian command has redeployed them for additional operations.

Moreover, South Korean intelligence sources have hinted at further troop deployments of North Koreans as support for Russia. In addition, reports from Asian media suggest that North Korea is receiving technical assistance from Moscow to develop various types of drones, signifying cooperation in military technology.

Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea marks a significant diplomatic effort to strengthen relations between Russia and North Korea amidst prevailing geopolitical tensions. The recent high-level meetings underscore a strategic partnership, particularly in military engagements in the conflict in Ukraine and collaborative advancements in military technology. The frequency of these interactions suggests a commitment to deeper ties between the two nations.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua