Russia’s Putin In North Korea Shopping For Weapons
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
PYONGYANG (Worthy News) – Eager to receive more military aid, Russian President Vladimir Putin began visiting North Korea after his plane touched down in the capital, Pyongyang, in the middle of the night.
Autocratic North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was on the tarmac to welcome Putin at around 03:00 local time, accompanied by crowds waving the Communist nation’s and Russian flags.
During their nine-hour-long schedule on Wednesday, both leaders were to focus on Moscow’s request for ammunition over two years after it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and other equipment, likely in exchange for food and military aid.
Russia and North Korea deny an arms deal but vowed to strengthen military ties last year.
The two leaders last met in September in far eastern Russia, but this is Putin’s first visit to Pyongyang since 2000.
NEEDED FOOD
Since last year, North Korea has shipped 7,000 containers filled with munitions and other military equipment to Russia, South Korea’s defense minister Shin Won-sik has said.
In exchange, Pyongyang gets desperately needed food and economic assistance from Moscow, according to South Korean officials.
North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said that after Putin landed in Pyongyang, the two leaders “exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts” and discussed deepening ties.
It described the partnership between the increasingly isolated pair as an “engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world” – mirroring language used by Putin.
Yet, like Russia, North Korea remains isolated with Western sanctions over its nuclear weapons program and concerns over its poor human rights record.
Thousands of Christians are believed to be held for their faith or political opinions, with many staying in prison camps, several advocacy groups say.
After North Korea, Putin will visit Vietnam, a long-time ally. Both countries were expected to discuss issues such as trade.
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