China refuses to criticize growing military ties between Russia and North Korea
Photo: Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (fmprc.gov.cn)
China refrained from criticizing the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, stating that it is solely a matter for Moscow and Pyongyang, according to the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson was asked to react to Russia and North Korea's ratification of a strategic comprehensive partnership agreement. This deal, in particular, led to the deployment of North Korean soldiers to fight in the war against Ukraine.
"On the bilateral exchange and cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, we have made clear our position more than once. The DPRK and Russia are two independent sovereign states. How to develop their bilateral relations is a matter for themselves," Lin Jian said.
North Korean troops in Russia
North Korea has already deployed its soldiers to Russia. According to recent information shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, around 11,000 North Korean soldiers were spotted in the Kursk region.
Moscow may likely use these troops in an attempt to push Ukrainian defenders out of the Kursk region.
Initial clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean soldiers have already occurred, but according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, these have not yet been large-scale.
According to Forbes, on November 7, Russian and North Korean forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region but suffered losses.
