Saturday, November 2, 2024

North Korea vows to stand by Russia until 'victory day' is achieved in Ukraine


North Korea vows to stand by Russia until 'victory day' is achieved in Ukraine
By SABRINA PENTY and AFP



North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, Pyongyang's foreign minister said in Moscow Friday, as the US has warned thousands of North Korean troops could be sent to combat in the Ukraine conflict in the coming days.

North Korea's Choe Son Hui was in Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia and on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russia's side.

US intelligence has said some of the troops have made their way to the Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul warning North Korea to withdraw its army.

'We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day,' Choe declared in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

She said North Korea had no doubt in the 'wise leadership' of President Vladimir Putin, who signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer and massively warmed ties with the reclusive state.


Choe called Moscow's more than two year offensive in Ukraine a 'sacred struggle.'

She also vowed that North Korea will continue to develop its nuclear arsenal, with Pyongyang widely suspected of wanting nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for military support.

Neither country has denied the troop deployment reports, with Son Hui and Lavrov also not mentioning them in their statements after their talks.

Lavrov did however laud 'very close ties' between the two countries 'armies and special services.'

'This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours,' he added, without giving details.

Lavrov said Russia was 'deeply grateful' for North Korea's 'principled stance' on Ukraine.





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