Amid rising international concerns, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is scheduled for an unusual trip to Russia to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. High on the agenda is the possible exchange of artillery and anti-tank missiles for Moscow’s advanced satellite and nuclear submarine technology, Reuters reported.
The upcoming meeting, which will take place in Vladivostok, a port city near North Korea, heralds escalating military cooperation between the two nations. The discussions come at a time when Russia has been open about its intention to conduct joint military exercises with North Korea.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed the need for peace between neighboring countries during a preliminary talk. Essentially, the sentiment was that it is better to maintain cordial relations with neighboring countries, according to the Interfax news agency.
US and South Korea alarm bells
The United States has expressed concern over ongoing arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea. Recently, Washington imposed sanctions on organizations believed to facilitate arms trade between the two countries.
South Korean intelligence reports previously mentioned a visit by Sergei Shoigu to Pyongyang, where he had proposed a trilateral naval exercise involving China, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. This visit took place during the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, known as “Victory Day” in North Korea, according to Yonhap.
History and future
Russia and North Korea share a heritage of alliance dating back to the Cold War era. Last week, the Kremlin formulated plans to strengthen its “mutually respectful relations” with North Korea, which has supported Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine in 2022.
While Vladivostok is likely the venue for the upcoming talks, there is a possibility that the meeting will be moved to Moscow, according to The New York Times. Kim Jong Un’s late father, Kim Jong Il, who was known for his reclusiveness and unique travel preferences, last visited Russia a few months before his passing in 2011.
While both countries have called for closer military ties, North Korea has publicly refuted allegations of any current “arms deals” with Russia, Reuters reported.
(with Reuters entries)
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Updated: September 5, 2023, 7:51 AM IST