Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov greets his North Korean counterpart Choi Song-hee in Moscow, Russia, 1 November 2024. Russian Foreign Ministry/ Reuters

North Korea promises to support Russia “until victory” in the war against Ukraine, North Korean diplomat Choe Song Hee said on Friday at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. This was reported by Reuters.

Choi Song-hee confirmed Pyongyang’s support for Russia in its actions against Ukraine, stressing that “under the talented leadership of President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will win a great victory”. She stressed that the DPRK will remain Russia’s “reliable ally” until the day of victory.

Sergey Lavrov noted that relations between the armies and security services of both countries have deepened, which contributes to the resolution of key security issues for both states. In June, Russia and the DPRK signed a strategic agreement that provides for immediate military assistance in the event of external aggression.

The support for North Korea comes amid recent reports from the United States: according to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, about 8,000 of the 10,000 North Korean troops stationed in Russia are deployed in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. According to intelligence, these forces could be involved in hostilities in the near future.

The international community, including the US and the EU, accuses the DPRK of supplying Russia with ammunition for the war in Ukraine, and Western diplomats warn of further escalation of the conflict if North Korean forces are actively involved.

The Russian-North Korean rapprochement has been ongoing since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang has also recently tested an intercontinental missile, which the DPRK government claims is part of its nuclear deterrence programme.