[By Guancha Observer Network, Zhang Jingjuan] After two weeks, Russian Federal Security Council Secretary General Shoigu visited North Korea again.
According to reports from "Russia Today" and TASS and other media outlets, on June 17 local time, Shoigu held talks with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. During his visit, Shoigu told reporters that North Korea will send 6,000 military personnel to Kursk Oblast, Russia, to assist with mine clearance and reconstruction work.
He said that North Korea has decided to send 1,000 sappers (mine-clearing soldiers) to assist with demining efforts in Russia. Additionally, 5,000 military construction workers will help Russia rebuild infrastructure.
"This is a fraternal aid from the people and leader Kim Jong Un of North Korea to our country, especially to Kursk," Shoigu stated. This deployment is a continuation of North Korea's military support to Russia under the strategic partnership treaty between the two countries.
The report mentioned that Ukraine launched a large-scale attack on Kursk on August 6, 2024, and North Korean troops fought alongside Russian forces for several months in this region.
A few weeks before Ukraine's surprise attack on Kursk (on June 19, 2024), Russian President Putin and Kim Jong Un signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in Pyongyang. This treaty is a breakthrough document elevating the cooperation between the two countries to a new level. Article four of the treaty states that if one party is attacked by one or more countries and is at war, the other party will immediately provide military and other assistance through all available means.
Putin acknowledged that North Korean soldiers participated in repelling Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast and praised them as heroes who fought shoulder to shoulder with Russian forces as "comrades-in-arms" at the end of the joint defense operations.
On June 17, 2025, Shoigu held talks with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. KCNA
It was reported that Russia and North Korea also plan to build a monument to honor the fallen North Korean soldiers during the liberation of Kursk.
Shoigu also mentioned that the two countries are restoring railway traffic and hope to resume flights that have been suspended for many years as soon as possible.
He said, "I hope the first resumption flight can take off as soon as possible; this route has been out of service for more than 30 years."
Shoigu has visited North Korea three times since March, including twice this year in March and June.
He explained that he has regularly visited Pyongyang in recent months because the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement is progressing rapidly.
Notably, in a video released by Russian state media showing Shoigu's arrival, it can be seen that Kim Jong Un embraced Shoigu and told him, "Our cooperation is deepening."
According to KCNA reports, the two leaders had in-depth discussions about current cooperation matters and future plans based on agreements reached through reciprocal letters exchanged by the heads of state of both countries in recent weeks. They also discussed ideas and plans to forever commemorate the heroic feats of North Korean soldiers during the liberation of Kursk, reaching an agreement.
During their conversation, they exchanged views and opinions on issues of mutual concern regarding complex international and regional situations, among others, and reached a consensus. The entire conversation took place in a friendly, trusting, cordial, and amiable atmosphere.
This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517213943136322099/
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