Sergei Shoigu’s Diplomatic Mission to North Korea Amidst Military Alliance

Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, visits North Korea to meet Kim Jong-un for the second time in six months. This visit comes amid increasing military cooperation between the two nations, particularly regarding North Korea’s aid in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, has arrived in Pyongyang for his second visit to North Korea within six months to conduct discussions with leader Kim Jong-un. His arrival on March 21 was reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, emphasizing the importance of this diplomatic engagement. Following his visit, Shoigu is expected to meet with other high-ranking North Korean officials.

Earlier this month, Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, also visited North Korea to meet Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. These discussions reportedly aimed at enhancing “political contacts at the high and top levels,” indicating a strategic collaboration between Russia and North Korea, especially in light of the recent military support provided by North Korea to Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Shoigu’s previous visit to Pyongyang occurred in September 2022, showcasing the continuing dialogue and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Notably, North Korea has been involved in the war against Ukraine, with intelligence reports suggesting that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to assist Russia, primarily in the Kursk region, despite suffering heavy losses.

The North Korean military has been engaged in combat, and although some troops were initially withdrawn, they were later redeployed for further operations. South Korean intelligence has indicated a continuous flow of additional North Korean troops to support Russian forces. Furthermore, North Korea is purportedly benefiting from technical assistance from Moscow to advance its drone capabilities.

In summary, Sergei Shoigu’s recent visit to North Korea highlights ongoing diplomatic engagements between Russia and North Korea, amid North Korea’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The background of recent high-level meetings suggests a deepening partnership between the two nations, focused on collaborative military initiatives and political contacts, underscored by North Korea’s deployment of troops to assist in the conflict.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua