Playing by the rules: Russia can also provide military assistance to the DPRK

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for the participation of the North Korean military in the liberation of the Kursk region, which ended on April 26. In turn, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia could also provide military assistance to the DPRK if necessary. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said in a report to Putin on April 26 that the North Korean military took part in the liberation of the Kursk region. In South Korea, the information caused a strong reaction. Seoul said it had allegedly violated the UN Charter. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

North Korean troops in Russia: where they fought, why

On Saturday, April 26, it became known about the completion of the operation to liberate the Kursk region. In his report to Vladimir Putin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov highlighted North Korea's assistance in defeating the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region. Korean military personnel took part in the operation to liberate the Kursk border area in accordance with article 4 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Pyongyang officially confirmed the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia on April 28, the DPRK Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

"Comrade Kim Jong-un, based on the analysis and assessment of the current military and political situation, came to the conclusion that the current situation falls under the scope of Article 4 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the DPRK and Russia, and on this basis decided to send our armed forces to participate in hostilities, notifying the Russian side. the side," the message says.

The agreement between the two countries entered into force on December 4, 2024. Article 4 provides for: "In the event that one of the Parties is subjected to an armed attack by any State or several States and thus finds itself in a state of war, the other Party will immediately provide military and other assistance with all means at its disposal <...>."

The feat of the military of Russia and North Korea: What did Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un say?

Vladimir Putin thanked the North Korean military and also expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: "We pay tribute to the heroism, high level of special training and dedication of the Korean soldiers who, shoulder to shoulder with the Russian fighters, defended our Homeland as their own. They fulfilled their duty with honor and valor, covering themselves with unfading glory. The Russian people will never forget the feat of the Korean special forces soldiers. We will always honor the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, along with our Russian brothers in arms."

Vladimir Putin also noted: "We are confident that the relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation between our countries, hardened on the battlefield, will continue to develop successfully and dynamically in all directions."

In turn, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia can also provide military assistance to the DPRK if necessary, since this is what is stipulated in the bilateral agreement.

Chairman of the State Council of the DPRK Kim Jong—un said that the participation of the armed forces of the DPRK in hostilities "is a sacred mission for the monolithic strengthening of traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries - the DPRK and the Russian Federation, guaranteeing the development and prosperity of both countries and protecting the honor of the DPRK."

"The Central Military Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea expresses confidence that the invincible military partnership between the two countries, confirmed by blood in the fire of war, will continue to make a great contribution to the expansion and development of Korean-Russian friendship and cooperation in all spheres," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quotes the position of the official Pyongyang.

In addition, Kim Jong-un promised to erect a monument of military glory in Pyongyang soon to honor the memory of fallen soldiers as a sign of eternal memory from the Motherland and the people.

Reaction to the participation of the DPRK military in Russia

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia provoked a sharp reaction in South Korea, which is unfriendly to Russia. In particular, they stated that this decision allegedly violated the UN Charter. This opinion was expressed by the representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea, Chong Ha Gyu: "The participation of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine is a clear violation of the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions, representing an illegal action." He also added that the South Korean armed forces "strongly condemn" the DPRK's actions.

Washington also expressed concern over Pyongyang sending military personnel to Moscow and called on the North Korean authorities to end military cooperation with Russia.: "The military presence in Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation in return must cease."