Kremlin-We Aim To Develop Ties w/North Korea In All Areas

Kremlin spox Dmitri Peskov spoke up relations between Russia and North Korea earlier, claiming that "... we are developing and intend to further develop partnerships in all areas." The suspected provision of North Korean weaponry to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine has put the international spotlight on relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. Following North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia in Sep 2023, the flow of weapons to Russia is believed to have increased, resulting in international condemnation from Ukraine and its allies.

• Peskov also indicated that President Vladimir Putin would look to take up North Korea's offer of visiting Pyongyang, but did not give a timeframe for such a trip. Speculation of a visit has increased amid North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui's visit to Moscow this week for talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
• North Korea's first testof a solid-fuel hypersonic missile overnight will raise concerns among Ukraine and its allies further. Russia's increasing use of North Korean munitions not only increases risks for Ukraine, but for North Korea's adversaries in Asia. The widespread deployment of North Korean missiles by Russia will provide Pyongyang with more reliable information on the effectiveness of their weapons than their own sporadic tests can deliver. This in turn could allow North Korea to develop more effective weaponry in the years ahead.