North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening “strategic and tactical coordination” between the countries’ militaries with Russia’s defense minister, the North’s state media said on Sunday, as Kim continued a visit to Russia’s Far East. Which has increased concerns about the weapons alliance. This will lead to Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
The talks with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came as Kim on Friday was shown some of Russia’s most advanced weapons systems deployed for the war on Ukraine, including nuclear-capable bombers and hypersonic missiles and a key warship from its Pacific Fleet. The Korean Central News Agency said.
Kim’s visit to a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday underlined how their interests are aligning in the face of separate, intense confrontations with the West. US and South Korean officials have said North Korea could provide vital weapons for Putin’s war on Ukraine in exchange for cutting-edge Russian weapons technology that would advance Kim’s nuclear ambitions.
While his main focus is on military cooperation, Kim appears to be using his visit to encourage broader exchanges between the countries as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation.
The governor of Russia’s Primorye region, which includes Vladivostok, said he planned to meet with Kim on Sunday. Governor Oleg Kozhemyako said on his messaging app channel that they would discuss exchange programs for schoolchildren to attend summer camps in each other’s country and other ways to cooperate in sports, tourism and culture. Russian media said Kim may also visit food industry businesses in Primorye.