Russia strengthens military ties with North Korea amid war in Ukraine
Amid rising tensions with Ukraine, Russia has set its sights on strengthening military cooperation with North Korea. A significant step in this direction has been taken by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who has embarked on a strategic visit to Pyongyang.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, was organised to attend events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. The Russian Defence Ministry, in a statement on its Telegram account, confirmed that the visit had been organised between 25-27 July at the invitation of the North Korean Defence Ministry.
Expressing optimism about the visit, the Russian Defence Ministry stressed its potential to strengthen military ties between the two countries. The visit was a notable event, as it was the first time foreign delegations, including Chinese and Russian representatives had visited North Korea since the beginning of the pandemic. North Korea had imposed a strict blockade in early 2020 to protect itself from COVID-19, even banning its own citizens from returning home.
In addition, as Semana reports, in light of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the lower house of the Russian parliament passed a new law to raise the age limit for compulsory military service from 27 to 30.
This measure, which will come into force on 1 January 2024, aims to increase the number of potential reservists in the Russian army. By September 2022, Russia had already mobilised almost 300,000 reservists for its offensive in Ukraine. The law also stipulates that conscripts are prohibited from leaving Russian territory once called up for military service.
Shoigu's visit to North Korea attracted much attention as it coincided with the North Korean regime's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. Despite international accusations, Russia's ambassador to North Korea denied reports that the country received arms and ammunition from North Korea in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Agencia EFE has reported that the ambassador said that North Korea was currently unable to export weapons because of its own conflicts with its southern neighbour and its main ally, the United States.
During the visit, Shoigu took part in celebrations in Pyongyang to mark the anniversary of the end of the Korean War, which North Korea celebrates as "Victory Day". The event has immense significance for the regime, symbolising its triumph in forcing the US, South Korea and other allied forces to call for an armistice.
As the world closely follows North Korea's military activities, Western satellites have detected rehearsals for a major military parade in Pyongyang. The parade is expected to showcase ballistic missiles and other new additions to North Korea's arsenal, in line with the country's weapons modernisation plan approved in 2021.
Shoigu's visit demonstrates Russia's interest in closer military ties with North Korea amid the war in Ukraine, as the two nations commemorated the historic Korean War armistice. The geopolitical implications of this engagement remain a point of great interest to the international community.
