North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived at a cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting highlights the alignment of interests between the two leaders, as they face separate confrontations with the United States. Putin welcomed Kim at the entrance to a launch vehicle assembly building, and the two leaders shook hands. Kim’s translator expressed gratitude to Putin for the warm welcome. After inspecting the cosmodrome, the two leaders will engage in talks.
Earlier in the day, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards the sea, continuing its provocative weapons testing. Kim took advantage of the distraction caused by Putin’s war on Ukraine to accelerate North Korea’s weapons development.
For Putin, the meeting with Kim presents an opportunity to replenish ammunition stores that have been depleted during the 18-month-long war. For Kim, the meeting offers a chance to circumvent crippling U.N. sanctions and years of diplomatic isolation. It is anticipated that Kim will seek economic aid and military technology from Russia. However, an arms deal would be in violation of international sanctions that Russia previously supported.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately provide details on the distance covered by the North Korean missiles. Japan’s Coast Guard, citing Tokyo’s Defense Ministry, advised vessels to remain vigilant for falling objects.
Kim arrived at the Russia-North Korea border station in Khasan on his personal train, where he was met by a military honor guard and a brass band. Regional Governor Oleg Kozhemyako and Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov welcomed Kim on a red carpet. According to North Korean state media and social media videos, Kim stated that his decision to visit Russia four years after his previous visit demonstrated the strategic importance of the relations between Pyongyang and Moscow. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim then proceeded to an undisclosed location.
The Russian delegation includes Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Kim’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui and top military officials. Other officials accompanying Kim may provide insights into what he seeks from Putin and what he is willing to offer. These officials include Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of munitions policies, who recently accompanied Kim on tours of factories producing artillery shells and missiles. Additionally, Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and navy Admiral Kim Myong Sik, who are associated with North Korean efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, were also identified in photos.
According to analysts, North Korea possesses tens of millions of aging artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs, which could significantly strengthen the Russian army in Ukraine. Kim may also seek energy supplies and food. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko mentioned the possibility of discussing humanitarian aid with the North Korean delegation.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, emphasized the importance of complying with Security Council sanctions against North Korea and avoiding military cooperation that destabilizes the international community. The United States has accused North Korea of providing Russia with arms, including selling artillery shells to the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Both Russian and North Korean officials have denied these allegations. Speculation about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has grown following Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea in July, during which Kim toured weapon factories.
