North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Says Russia Has Right To Self-Defense Against Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared Russia’s right to self-defense against Ukraine, aligning his nation with Moscow in the ongoing conflict.

At a Glance

Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, agreeing to boost military cooperation.
North Korea is accused of sending over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in Ukraine.
Kim criticized Western powers for allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia.
A strategic partnership treaty was signed between Russia and North Korea in June.
Both countries face UN sanctions and have increased military ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

North Korea Aligns with Russia

In a significant show of support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stated that Russia has the right to exercise self-defense against Ukraine. This declaration comes amid increasing military cooperation between the two nations, as evidenced by a recent meeting between Kim and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

Kim’s statement aligns North Korea firmly with Russia in the ongoing conflict, criticizing Western powers for their involvement. The North Korean leader accused the United States and its allies of provoking Ukraine to attack Russian territory with long-range weapons, calling it a direct military intervention in the conflict.

#Russia has right to exercise self defence against #Ukraine, says #KimJongUn https://t.co/IYdhkIqh5W

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) November 30, 2024

Strengthening Military Ties

The meeting between Kim Jong Un and Andrei Belousov has resulted in an agreement to boost military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This development comes in the wake of a strategic partnership treaty signed between the two nations in June, which obligates mutual military assistance and opposition to Western sanctions.

The United States and South Korea have accused North Korea of sending over 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in the Ukraine conflict. While both Russia and North Korea deny these allegations, the strengthening of their military ties raises concerns about the potential exchange of advanced weapons technology and resources.

Criticism of Western Involvement

Kim Jong Un has been vocal in his criticism of Western powers, particularly the United States, for their role in the Ukraine conflict. He accused the West of allowing and encouraging Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory, viewing this as a provocative act that justifies Russia’s actions.

The North Korean leader’s stance reflects a broader alignment with Russia’s narrative of the conflict, framing it as a defensive response to NATO expansion and U.S.-led actions. This perspective has led to North Korea’s full backing of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Kim vowing to support Russia’s policy to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Implications for International Relations

The strengthening alliance between North Korea and Russia poses significant challenges for the international community, particularly for the United States and its allies. Both countries are already under UN sanctions, and their increased cooperation could potentially lead to further isolation on the global stage.

“The DPRK government, army and people will invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists’ moves for hegemony,” Kin Jong Un reportedly said.

In response to these developments, South Korea and Ukraine are planning to deepen their security cooperation. South Korea is even considering providing weapons to Ukraine, marking a potential shift in its policy against selling arms to countries in active conflict. These moves underscore the growing complexity of the geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the increasing polarization of international alliances.