Russia, DPRK to jointly combat 'common enemy's' threats: DPRK official

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
15 Mar 2024 09:06

The DPRK's Ambassador to Russia has emphasized that both nations are enhancing bilateral relations in efforts to counter foreign threats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 13, 2023. (AP)

Russia and the DPRK are combatting common military challenges and threats together, the DPRK's Ambassador to Russia, Sin Hong Chol, said on Thursday.

At a reception commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the first intergovernmental agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, the ambassador said both nations have been interconnected with solidarity and neighborliness and continue walking a path toward "eternal prosperity and a new era directed to the future.”

Moreover, he emphasized that Russia and the DPRK maintain joint efforts to fight the "common enemy" by "courageously countering challenges and military threats from hostile forces, and strengthening support and solidarity aimed at protecting national security, peace, and dignity."

Sin Hong Chol then affirmed that the Workers' Party of Korea and our government itself are always mobilizing to sustain and enhance relations with Russia "to a new high level." This would also include military cooperation and coordination in the fight against the "common enemy", as the ambassador announced earlier in September.

Back in January, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia intends to further develop relations of partnership with the DPRK in all areas, emphasizing that dialogue will continue at all levels.

"First of all, North Korea is our neighbor, our closest neighbor, our partner with whom we are developing and intend to further develop partnership in all areas ... Dialogue with North Korea will continue at all levels," Peskov announced. He indicated that there is a meeting between Vladimir Putin, Russia's President, and North Korea's Foreign Minister where fruitful and intense negotiations will take place.

Great plans ahead

The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources announced on November 17, 2023, that Russia and the DPRK have decided to jointly explore gold, iron, and rare metal deposits through geological means as well as explore hydrocarbon deposits offshore.

The announcement came following the 10th meeting of the intergovernmental commission between the DPRK and Russia on trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation, held in Pyongyang.

The ministry explained that mineral resources management is a "potential area for development," explaining that the two countries had agreed on "joint geological exploration of gold, rare metals, and iron deposits as well as on the offshore exploration of hydrocarbons."