Russia's Security Council Secretary visits North Korea for second time in six months to meet Kim Jong-un
Photo: Sergei Shoigu and Kim Jong-un (Russian Media)
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's security council secretary, has arrived in North Korea, where he is set to meet with the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reports.
Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang today, March 21. According to Russian state media, he will hold a meeting with Kim Jong-un and other North Korean officials.
Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko also visited North Korea. He met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. According to media reports, the discussions focused on organizing "political contacts at the high and top levels."
Yonhap notes that these recent meetings between North Korean and Russian representatives are taking place against the backdrop of Pyongyang providing military aid to Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
Shoigu previously visited Pyongyang in September 2024, where he also met with Kim Jong-un.
North Korea's involvement in war against Ukraine
In the fall of last year, North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intelligence, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops were likely deployed.
North Korean forces have been engaged in combat in Russia's Kursk region. Due to heavy losses, they were temporarily withdrawn, but the Russian command later redeployed them for further assaults.
Earlier, South Korean intelligence reported that North Korea had sent additional troops to support Russia.
Furthermore, according to Asian media resources, North Korea is receiving technical assistance from Moscow to develop several types of drones.
