North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has once again massively expanded his support for the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

According to the state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang is prepared to “unconditionally support all measures taken by the Russian leadership to eliminate the causes of the Ukraine crisis in the future.”

North Korea has been supplying artillery shells and short-range missiles to the Russian army since 2023. According to South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence reports, up to 14,000 North Korean soldiers were involved in fighting in the Kursk region in 2024. Now, new assessments are circulating in Kiev that Pyongyang could send up to 30,000 more soldiers. This has not been officially confirmed, but Lavrov left the door open, saying that the specific form of assistance was “entirely up to North Korea.”

In return, according to Western intelligence reports, Kim receives food and foreign currency supplies—and, above all, Russian expertise for his missile and satellite program. Moscow has not commented on this.

Summit diplomacy in Wonsan

Lavrov is staying in North Korea until Sunday for a three-day visit. The talks with Kim took place in the coastal city of Wonsan, where the North Korean leader has just opened a new luxury resort. According to the Russian news agency Tass, Lavrov conveyed the message that President Vladimir Putin hopes to hold personal talks with Kim again “in the very near future.”

Back in the summer of 2024, Putin and Kim signed a treaty in Pyongyang on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” that includes mutual assistance in the event of an attack. Since then, both regimes have spoken of an “invincible alliance of brothers in arms.”

Concern in Seoul and Washington

The increased cooperation is causing concern in Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington. South Korea’s Defense Ministry warned that Kim’s military aid could “significantly shift the dynamics on the Ukrainian front.” The US government says it is considering additional sanctions against Russian arms companies that trade with Pyongyang.

Image: APA