North Korea to Send Army Builders and Deminers to Russia
North Korea will send military builders and sappers to Russia’s Kursk region for reconstruction, following talks between Sergei Shoigu and Kim Jong Un. This assistance, which includes 5,000 personnel and 1,000 deminers, underscores growing ties amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
In a significant move, North Korea is preparing to send military builders and deminers to assist with reconstruction efforts in Russia’s Kursk region, following recent Ukrainian incursions. This information comes from Russian news agencies, citing Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russia’s Security Council, during a visit to Pyongyang. Shoigu’s discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked their second meeting in less than two weeks, with both sides increasingly aligning amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As part of this collaboration, North Korea plans to dispatch a substantial contingent: a division of builders, two military brigades totaling 5,000 personnel, and an additional 1,000 demining experts. Shoigu characterized this deployment as profound assistance from the Korean people, underscoring the nature of their alliance. He noted, “This is a kind of fraternal assistance from the Korean people and leader Kim Jong Un to our country.”
After their talks, North Korean state media described the atmosphere as “congenial,” and emphasized that Kim is committed to further cooperation, although specifics were scant. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported discussions on both immediate cooperation and long-term collaborations, which were agreed upon through recent exchanges between the leaders of the two nations.
Russia and North Korea have deepened their military ties since signing a comprehensive agreement last year, which includes a mutual defense clause during one of Putin’s unusually rare visits to North Korea. Reports have indicated that North Korea has been providing military support to Russia as it continues its aggressive tactics in Ukraine. Earlier this month, during another meeting between Shoigu and North Korean military officials, the parties expressed their intent to cultivate a “powerful and comprehensive relationship of strategic partnership.”
This growing bond highlights the warming ties between Pyongyang and Moscow as both navigate their respective challenges in the international arena, confronting opposition from Western nations.
In summary, North Korea’s decision to send military personnel to aid Russia’s reconstruction effort in Kursk signals a deepening alliance between the two nations. The cooperation stems from mutual interests, particularly in response to Ukraine’s actions. As Shoigu noted, this assistance reflects the fraternal ties touted by both leaderships and may evolve into more extensive military collaboration moving forward.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
