SEOUL, South Korea — Andrei Belousov, the Russian Defense Minister, arrived in North Korea on Friday for discussions with the country’s military and political leaders, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
However, the specifics of the meetings or their agenda were not detailed in the reports from the TASS news agency, and North Korean state media has not yet confirmed the visit.
Belousov, who previously worked as an economist, took over the role of defense minister from Sergei Shoigu in May, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commencement of his fifth term in office.
This visit follows a recent meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, during which they discussed the need for collaboration on countermeasures due to North Korea’s recent deployment of thousands of troops to Russia to support its combat operations in Ukraine.
Reports from the United States and its allies indicate that North Korea has dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in recent weeks, with some already involved in combat situations.
Additionally, North Korea faces accusations of providing Russia with artillery systems, missiles, and other military equipment that could significantly aid Putin’s prolonged conflict, which has now continued for almost three years.
There are growing concerns in Seoul that in return for its military support, North Korea may receive advanced Russian technology transfers, which could enhance the capabilities of Kim Jong Un’s nuclear and missile programs.
