Kim Jong Un Says He’ll “Unconditionally Help” Russia’s Struggle

North Korean chief Kim Jong Un stated on Sunday that he was all in on Russia’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine.

Pyongyang’s international ministry wrote that Kim had met with Russia’s international minister, Sergey Lavrov, throughout which the 2 leaders pledged to “strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation” between their nations.

Kim stated he was “keen to unconditionally help all measures taken by the Russian management in relation to the elemental decision of the Ukrainian scenario,” the report stated.

It comes as CNN reported on July 2, citing a Ukrainian intelligence evaluation and an unnamed Western official, that stated there was data indicating that North Korea was planning to ship 25,000 to 30,000 troops to Russia.

Such a brand new tranche of fighters would greater than triple North Korea’s infantry presence within the struggle, up from its preliminary batch of about 11,000 troopers who fought for Russia in Kursk. Western estimates say 6,000 of these North Korean troops had been killed or wounded.

The Japan Occasions, nonetheless, reported on Sunday that Ukraine’s intelligence directorate (GUR) stated it had “no data” about Pyongyang’s plans to extend its troop depend in Russia to 30,000.

GUR’s press staff didn’t reply to a request for remark despatched outdoors common enterprise hours by Enterprise Insider.

A extra doubtless enlargement is the 6,000 additional personnel Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s safety council, stated North Korea had pledged to Kursk.

In June, Shoigu stated a minimum of 1,000 of those folks could be sappers, whereas one other 5,000 would assist with building.

In the meantime, prime Russian officers have been touring steadily to fulfill with Kim. In accordance with Russian media, Shoigu visited Kim a minimum of thrice in three months in early summer time.

The partnership between the 2 more and more remoted nations has nervous each South Korea and the West. Seoul’s intelligence arm stated on Sunday that it believed Pyongyang had already equipped Russia with some 12 million 152mm artillery shells, which may fill roughly 28,000 delivery containers.

By comparability, the US stated in March that it has despatched Ukraine roughly 3 million 155mm shells because the begin of the struggle in 2022.

In return for his troops, ammunition, and weapons, Kim’s authorities has been reported to be receiving meals, money, battlefield expertise, and technological help for its house and arms applications.