Photo released by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency on November 19, 2024 shows Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on November 18, 2024. STR/ AFP North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met the Russian Minister of Natural Resources in Pyongyang on Monday, November 18, according to the official North Korean agency KCNA, in a context of strengthening ties between the two countries, particularly in the war in Ukraine. Referring to a defense agreement with Russia that Pyongyang has just ratified, Kim Jong-un called, during his meeting with Minister Alexander Kozlov, to “further promote intergovernmental trade, economic, scientific and technological exchanges,” according to the agency. The meeting took place the same day as a delegation from a Russian military academy arrived in Pyongyang, according to KCNA, which did not provide further details. Read also | North Korea ratifies defense treaty with Russia Read later West concerned about Russian technological aid The United States and South Korea have accused North Korea of having sent more than 10,000 troops in Russia to support its war effort in Ukraine. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The presence of North Korean troops alongside Russia illustrates Pyongyang’s new global ambitions Read later Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured on November 7 that North Korean troops had “taken part in the hostilities” and suffered “losses” in the Russian region of Kursk, bordering Ukraine. South Korean intelligence also said Wednesday that North Korean troops were fighting in the region. The West fears that Russia will send its ally technological aid in exchange which could contribute to the development of its nuclear program. At the end of October, Pyongyang carried out a test of what it presented as its new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the most advanced in its arsenal. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Zhao Tong, researcher: “China is very worried about the consequences of North Korea’s engagement with Russia” Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
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