Latest news with #ComprehensiveStrategicPartnershipTreaty
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
North Korean: We Support Russia Unconditionally
Pyongyang - Saba: N Korean leader Kim Jong Un affirmed his country's full and unwavering support for Russia's policy, emphasizing his commitment to implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two countries. This came during his meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who visited Pyongyang as an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Shoigu announced Kim's approval to send 6,000 North Korean troops, including engineers and construction workers, to Russia to assist in the reconstruction of the Kursk Oblast, as part of cooperation between the two countries. The two sides discussed international and regional issues and affirmed their shared visions. Kim expressed his appreciation to Putin, wishing Russia victory and prosperity, ahead of the first anniversary of the partnership agreement signed on June 19. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Why Putin's top aide Shoigu keeps meeting Kim Jong-un
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu, agreed to step up Pyongyang's military support for Russia's war in Ukraine, North Korean state media reported Wednesday. However, North Korean media made no mention of Security Council Secretary Shoigu's separate disclosure that 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers would be sent to Russia's Kursk region. Shoigu, Russian President Vladimir Putin's longtime ally, made his third trip to Pyongyang this year on Tuesday to meet with Kim Jong-un, following earlier visits on March 22 and June 4 — all of which included talks with the North Korean leader. The meeting 'discussed the items of immediate cooperation and long-term plans arising in implementing the important matters agreed by the heads of states of the two countries through the exchanges of personal letters for several weeks,' state-run Korean Central News Agency reported in its English-language dispatch. Kim and Shoigu discussed and agreed on several ideas and plans to commemorate and pass down the 'heroic feats displayed by soldiers of units of the Korean People's Army' during the operations in the Kursk region, KCNA added. 'Proceeding from a correct understanding of the current situation in the special military operations and Kursk Region, Kim Jong Un confirmed the contents of the DPRK's cooperation within the range of the treaty between the two countries, accepted the relevant plans and discussed in detail the necessary cooperation plans,' KCNA read. The DPRK stands for the official name of North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim and Putin signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which includes a mutual defense obligation, on June 19, 2024, during Putin's visit to Pyongyang — his first since 2000. The Russian Security Council on Tuesday said Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on "special instructions" from Putin to hold talks with the North Korean leadership. 'Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un has decided to send 1,000 sappers to Russia to clear mines on Russian territory, as well as 5,000 military construction workers to restore infrastructure destroyed by the occupiers,' Shoigu was quoted by Russia's state-run TASS as saying. When asked about the discrepancies between North Korean and Russian media reports, the Unification Ministry assessed that "Russia's disclosure suggests that there was a bilateral agreement on making the matter public externally." 'The fact that Russia disclosed not only the existence of the troop dispatch but also its scale suggests that Pyongyang may have requested this disclosure in order to secure reciprocal benefits," a ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. 'However, it is possible that North Korea refrained from mentioning any decision on additional troop deployments out of consideration for domestic public sentiment." South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in March that North Korea sent around 11,000 troops to Russia last year, with over 3,000 more deployed in early 2025. The UK's Defense Intelligence estimated on Sunday that North Korean casualties have likely exceeded 6,000 in the Kursk region. N. Korea's gains, Russia's needs Doo Jin-ho, director of the Eurasia Research Center at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said Shoigu's three visits to Pyongyang in just three months were ultimately aimed at securing additional troop deployments — a rare display of urgency that underscores both the visits' symbolic weight and Shoigu's status as one of Putin's closest, longest-serving confidants. 'Moreover, the dynamic between North Korea and Russia is clearly shifting; the power balance is no longer one-sided," Doo told The Korea Herald. "This underscores how significantly Russia has come to depend on North Korea's support, (which is) now materializing in the form of 6,000 rank-and-file combat engineers.' Doo explained Russia seems to be bracing for a protracted war, signaling its intent to secure victory through endurance rather than placing hope in US-brokered negotiations, which have stalled. 'In this equation, North Korea's support is decisive,' Doo said. Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification, also noted, "Russia appears to have determined that solidifying control over recaptured territories is essential to gaining the upper hand in future ceasefire negotiations." "Russia is therefore moving swiftly to advance additional troop deployments through Secretary Shoigu's visit to North Korea," Hong said. Regarding what North Korea could gain in return for dispatching troops, Doo pointed out the most pressing issue is the launch of a reconnaissance satellite — something North Korea attempted four times between May 2023 and May 2024, with Pyongyang claiming a single success in November 2023. 'There are strong strategic incentives for North Korea to proceed with a satellite launch,' Doo said. 'With the 8th Party Congress cycle concluding this year, Pyongyang is under mounting pressure to deliver on the objectives it pledged at the congress.' Doo further explained that Russia could provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for North Korea, with Rajin Port emerging as a key hub for Russian-assisted upgrades. This support could enable North Korea to accelerate the modernization of its aging naval and air force systems.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Top Russian security official holds talks with N.Korea's Kim for second time in two weeks
FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia's Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 4, 2025, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS/ File Photo (Reuters) -Sergei Shoigu, a senior Russian security official, held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the second time in two weeks on Tuesday and said he was carrying out "special instructions" from President Vladimir Putin. Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council and a former defence minister with close ties to Putin, previously visited Pyongyang and met Kim on March 21 and June 4 as Moscow and Pyongyang draw closer together in the face of what they say is a hostile West. Russia's state Rossiiskaya Gazeta, which said Shoigu and Kim were holding wide-ranging security consultations on Tuesday, published a video of Kim - wearing a traditional Mao suit - hugging Shoigu on arrival before accompanying him to a hall with a long negotiating table. "Two weeks have passed and we are meeting again," said Kim, before chuckling. "The president's instruction must be fulfilled," replied Shoigu, who quickly agreed when Kim said Shoigu's frequent visits showed that ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were getting stronger. In a message last week, Kim called Putin his "dearest comrade" and praised their bilateral relations as a "genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms" - a reference to the role of North Korean troops who Moscow said helped it drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia's western Kursk region last year. Shoigu was given the red carpet treatment in Pyongyang and met off his plane by an honour guard and Marshal Pak Jong-chon, who occupies the second most powerful position in the secretive North Korean military. 'SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM PUTIN' "Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on special instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin," a statement from Russia's Security Council said. "These agreements are being implemented within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty." Kim and Putin signed the strategic partnership treaty in June last year, which included a mutual defence pact. Moscow later referenced the agreement when explaining the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Kursk. Rossiiskaya Gazeta said Shoigu's talks earlier this month had, among other things, focused on proposals to commemorate the role of the North Korean troops. British military intelligence said this week that North Korean troops had suffered more than 6,000 casualties in Kursk. North Korea has not disclosed its losses. The U.S. and South Korea say North Korea has shipped ballistic missiles, anti-tank rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition for Russia to use in its war against Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers. A Reuters investigation in April 2025 found that millions of North Korean shells had made their way to the front lines in massive shipments by sea and then by train. Russia said this month the two countries planned to shortly restart a direct passenger train service between Moscow and Pyongyang for the first time since 2020, a journey which at over 10,000 km (6,213 miles) it said was the world's longest direct rail trip. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; additional reporting by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Top Russian security official holds talks with North Korea's Kim for second time in two weeks
Top Russian security official holds talks with North Korea's Kim for second time in two weeks PYONGYANG - Mr Sergei Shoigu, a senior Russian security official, held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the second time in two weeks on June 17 and said he was carrying out "special instructions" from President Vladimir Putin. Mr Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council and a former defence minister with close ties to Mr Putin, previously visited Pyongyang and met Mr Kim on March 21 and June 4 as Moscow and Pyongyang draw closer together in the face of what they say is a hostile West. Russia's state Rossiiskaya Gazeta, which said Mr Shoigu and Mr Kim were holding wide-ranging security consultations on June 17, published a video of Mr Kim - wearing a traditional Mao suit - hugging Mr Shoigu on arrival before accompanying him to a hall with a long negotiating table. "Two weeks have passed, and we are meeting again," said Mr Kim, before chuckling. "The president's instruction must be fulfilled," replied Mr Shoigu, who quickly agreed when Mr Kim said Mr Shoigu's frequent visits showed that ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were getting stronger. In a message last week, Mr Kim called Mr Putin his "dearest comrade" and praised their bilateral relations as a "genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms" - a reference to the role of North Korean troops who Moscow said helped it drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia's western Kursk region in 2024. Mr Shoigu was given the red carpet treatment in Pyongyang and met off his plane by an honour guard and Marshal Pak Jong-chon, who occupies the second most powerful position in the secretive North Korean military. 'Special instructions from Putin' "Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on special instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin," a statement from Russia's Security Council said. "These agreements are being implemented within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty." Mr Kim and Mr Putin signed the strategic partnership treaty in June 2024, which included a mutual defence pact. Moscow later referenced the agreement when explaining the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Kursk. Rossiiskaya Gazeta said Mr Shoigu's talks earlier in June had, among other things, focused on proposals to commemorate the role of the North Korean troops. British military intelligence said this week that North Korean troops had suffered more than 6,000 casualties in Kursk. North Korea has not disclosed its losses. The US and South Korea say North Korea has shipped ballistic missiles, anti-tank rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition for Russia to use in its war against Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers. A Reuters investigation in April 2025 found that millions of North Korean shells had made their way to the front lines in massive shipments by sea and then by train. Russia said in June the two countries planned to shortly restart a direct passenger train service between Moscow and Pyongyang for the first time since 2020, a journey which at over 10,000km it said was the world's longest direct rail trip. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-ICC president urges Ukraine to file ICC case against North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may face a war crime probe at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. Source: South Korean Yonhap News Agency, citing a statement by former ICC president Song Sang-hyun during an international conference in Seoul on 19 May Details: The former ICC president said "the time is right" to hold Kim Jong Un accountable. Last month, North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it had sent troops to Russia in support of its aggression against Ukraine. Despite numerous human rights violations within North Korea itself, Kim Jong Un has not yet been referred to the ICC. However, in Song's opinion, there are now sufficient legal grounds for Ukraine to initiate a case against him for aiding Russia in the war. "The time is right to bring Kim Jong-un before the ICC," Song stated. Details: He also said that Pyongyang's military assistance to Moscow gives Ukraine the opportunity to file an official complaint as an affected party. Quote: "There is an opportunity for Ukrainian authorities, as the victim, to file a complaint against North Korea with the ICC." Details: Song added that even in the absence of a formal complaint, the court has the authority to launch its own investigation. Quote: "While a complaint filed by Ukraine would be very ideal, the ICC also has the authority to initiate an independent investigation." Details: The former ICC president also noted that ICC warrants have no statute of limitations and that their issuance exerts significant psychological pressure on the accused, effectively barring them from entering any of the 124 member states of the court. Song Sang-hyun called on the ICC to respond more actively to war crimes committed by the North Korean leadership and their allies. Background: In April 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine, stating that this complies with the provisions of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and Russia. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the start of the Kursk operation, Russia has lost more than 62,000 soldiers and more than 4,500 North Korean servicemen in the Kursk operational zone. In March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin on suspicion of war crimes related to the war against Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
