Russia's Ministry of Defense declared that a pact has been established for 'long-term' military collaboration between Russia and North Korea.
Pyongyang has dispatched thousands of troops, missiles, and military supplies to aid Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Analysts indicate that North Korea is receiving military technology, energy, food, and economic assistance from Russia in exchange.
In 2024, the two nations entered into a military agreement that required both to offer military support to one another 'without delay' if either country was attacked.
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Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov declared, "We have reached an agreement with North Korea's Ministry of Defense to sustain our military collaboration consistently and over the long term."
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He stated, "We are prepared to finalize a plan for military cooperation between Russia and Korea for the years 2027 to 2031 this year."
Russian officials have convened in Pyongyang for the opening ceremony of a memorial complex dedicated to those who lost their lives in Moscow's conflict with Ukraine.
Belousov held discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Defense Minister No Kwang Chol on Sunday, while Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin also conferred with Kim and expressed gratitude for the contributions of the North Korean army in the Kursk war.
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Pyongyang sent troops to stop Kyiv's forces from initiating a prolonged counteroffensive in Russia's western Kursk area. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Belousov conferred military accolades to North Korean troops involved in the Kursk operation.
"Korean troops stood alongside our soldiers and officers, freeing Russian territory from Ukrainian Nazis," Volodin remarked.
Seoul reports that around two thousand North Koreans have died in the conflict in Ukraine, and North Korean troops have been ordered to take their own lives instead of being captured.
Only two North Korean soldiers were taken alive and are now held by Ukrainian officials.