Putin’s Two-Day Tour in North Korea Aims to Elevate Bilateral Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin forecasted that his two-day state visit to North Korea, starting on the 18th, would elevate cooperation between North Korea and Russia to a higher level.

Putin made this statement in an article published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), saying, “This will contribute to advancing the friendly and equal cooperation between Russia and North Korea,” as quoted by AFP.

Putin said, “We highly appreciate that the DPRK is firmly supporting the special military operations of Russia being conducted in Ukraine,” and evaluated that “now actively developing the many-sided partnership.” He emphasized that Russia and North Korea maintain a common line and position at the United Nations.

Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has exercised its veto power when South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Europe, among others, have attempted to adopt additional sanctions resolutions against North Korea for violating Security Council resolutions through ballistic missile test launches, etc. On March 28th, Russia vetoed the termination of the activities of the Panel of Experts of the Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea.