Putin and Kim plan second meet amid military cooperation rumors
1:07 PM EDT, June 14, 2024
A meeting between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un is on the horizon. The previous meeting resulted in North Korea delivering ammunition to the Kremlin. Media reports suggest that the purpose of this upcoming visit may be to deepen military cooperation between the two regimes.
According to Russian independent media, North Korea may have delivered up to 5 million artillery shells to Russia. In an interview with Bloomberg, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik confirmed this information. Meanwhile, the Kremlin received tanks, aircraft, and technology to implement a satellite spy program.
Next week, Vladimir Putin is expected to visit North Korea and Kim Jong Un. Satellite images indicate the wide range of preparations in Asian countries. Civilian airplanes have already been removed from Pyongyang, which could herald a grand military parade in honor of the guest.
Concerns rise in the US and South Korea. South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell reportedly discussed the planned meeting over the phone. Both declared the tightening of cooperation between Washington and Seoul.
Extensive north korean-russian cooperation
On Thursday, a Kremlin spokesman declined to specify the date of Putin's visit to Pyongyang.
"We have the right to develop good relations with our neighbours and this should not cause concern for anyone," he stated.
The two leaders' last meeting occurred in September of the previous year. During that meeting, close cooperation was declared. Western media also reported on the delivery of weapons to the Kremlin. Moscow denied these reports. However, according to UN observers, in Kharkiv in January, remnants of a missile originating from North Korea were found.
Satellite images released by the White House show that Russian cargo ships regularly travel between the North Korean port of Najin near the border with Russia and a former Soviet submarine base about 110 miles away. From there, trains transport containers to a warehouse in the Russian city of Tikhoretsk in the Krasnodar Krai.
According to analysts, Kim demanded economic assistance from Russia in exchange for ammunition, especially food and fuel. North Korea is devastated by gigantic military expenditures, an inefficient political system, sanctions, and natural disasters.
