North Korea ‘ready to welcome’ Vladimir Putin earlier than planned

North Korea’s top diplomat, Choe Son Hui, announces that North Korea is ready to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin

The country’s top diplomat, Choe Son Hui, said that North Korea is prepared to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a recent announcement reflecting the deepening relationship between North Korea and Russia.

This follows increased cooperation between the two countries, highlighted by Kim Jong Un’s rare visit to meet Putin in Russia’s Far East last September.

Besides international concerns, the West has accused Moscow and Pyongyang of collaborating to support Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Accusations mainly revolve around North Korea providing significant military assistance as artillery shells and weapons for Russia to use against its endeavors in Ukraine. 

Another meeting was held last week when North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui visited Moscow, greeted by Putin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Following this meeting, Choe passed on the North Korean leadership’s warm reception of President Putin, indicating their willingness to welcome him “with utmost sincerity.”

In response, Putin voiced his intentions to visit the DPRK earlier than expected, according to the statement from the DPRK foreign ministry.

The statement also recognized Russia for expressing gratitude to the North Korean government for its full support and solidarity concerning Russian military operations in Ukraine. 

The growing military and economic links between Russia and North Korea have been a source of global alarm. The visit of Russian officials including Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs to North Korea occurred last year, giving rise to fears regarding possible weapons transactions.

Earlier this month, the White House claimed Pyongyang sent ballistic missiles and launchers to Russia, labeling the interaction as “a highly significant and worrying escalation of support” for the war effort of Moscow. 

Also, South Korea had accused North Korea of transferring more than one million artillery rounds to Moscow in exchange for military satellite technology advice. 

Source: Newsroom