North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says Russia has the right to self-defense

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un asserted on November 30 that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons was the result of direct military intervention by the United States, and that Russia had the right to fight in self-defense.

According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on November 29. During the meeting, Kim stated: "The US and the West have provoked the Kyiv authorities to attack Russian territory with their long-range weapons." Therefore, Russia should act to make "the opposing forces pay the price."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang (North Korea) on June 19, 2024

"The government, military, and people of North Korea will always support the Russian Federation's policy of protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity against hegemonic ambitions of other nations," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

According to KCNA, at the meeting, Kim pledged to expand relations with Russia in all areas, including military matters, under the comprehensive strategic partnership he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

Did North Korea supply Russia with howitzers and rocket launchers of enormous caliber?

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Belousov met with his North Korean counterpart No Kwang-chol to discuss the implementation of the strategic cooperation agreement signed by Moscow and Pyongyang this year. KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un personally attended a reception hosted by the North Korean Ministry of Defense for Belousov's delegation.

Relations between Russia and North Korea have seen significant progress since the leaders of the two countries held a summit in September 2023. According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has transported more than 10,000 containers of ammunition, as well as self-propelled artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems.

South Korean intelligence agencies also accused North Korea of ​​sending more than 10,000 troops to Russia, with soldiers deployed to the front lines, including in the Kursk province (Russia) – a frequent site of fierce fighting between Moscow and Kyiv.

Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS long-range missiles at Russian territory after the administration of US President Joe Biden authorized their use this month. In response, Russia launched attacks on Ukraine's energy and military infrastructure.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lan-dao-trieu-tien-kim-jong-un-noi-nga-co-quyen-tu-ve-185241130071849144.htm