North Korea Deepens Support for Russia’s War
- Ishaan Satija
- Jul 14
- 1 min read
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his “unconditional” support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine as he hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a new beach resort in Wonsan. Kim pledged full backing for all Russian military efforts and is reportedly preparing to send 25,000–30,000 more North Korean troops on top of the 11,000 deployed last year, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Lavrov’s visit marks growing political and military ties between the nations. Photos show Kim and Lavrov smiling on a yacht and discussing future tourism and cooperation. Russian tourists may soon visit the Kalma beach resort, a luxury development opened by Kim to attract foreign currency.
The partnership raises concerns about what Pyongyang gains in return. Experts suspect Russia could be providing missile tech, drone systems, or warhead reentry guidance—valuable assets for North Korea’s weapons program. Pyongyang may also receive direct payments per deployed soldier.
North Korean troops have reportedly integrated with Russian units and sustained thousands of casualties. Satellite images show transport activity between the countries, and artillery manuals have been translated into Russian. This tightening alliance could reshape the Ukraine conflict and shift the security balance in Asia.
