Russian President Vladimir Putin showed that he might be open to helping North Korea with their space and satellite program during a visit to Russia’s Vostochny space launch site. This happened before planned discussions about weapons.
When a reporter asked Putin if Russia would assist North Korea in launching their own satellites and rockets, Putin replied, “That’s the main reason we are here. ”
The leader of North Korea is very interested in space and rockets, and they are working hard to develop their space program. “We will present our new items,” Putin said at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, located in Russia’s far east on Wednesday. “We will discuss all the problems slowly and calmly because there is enough time. ”
Putin’s words suggest that Russia and North Korea are getting closer, which concerns US officials. They have warned that this could lead to North Korea providing weapons to Russia for use in their struggling conflict in Ukraine in exchange for prohibited missile technology.
A video from the Kremlin was published on Wednesday. It showed the two leaders shaking hands and then visiting the space center and rocket complex. The complex is where they put together and test the vehicles that are launched into space. This information was reported by Russian state media.
North Korea really wants to develop space technology, but they haven’t been successful yet. They tried two times this year to put a spy satellite in space, but they didn’t work.
In April, Kim emphasized the importance of military satellites for keeping the country safe and maintaining control over their land. He also talked about how valuable these satellites are for planning military operations in advance, according to North Korean media.
Giving this technology to North Korea would go against the rules set by the international community. These rules are meant to make it harder for North Korea to make nuclear weapons and missiles.
Putin said that the talks were about working together on economy, helping people, and understanding what is happening in the area. The conversation lasted a little more than an hour.
Kim said both countries have “a lot of problems” that they can work together on. He commended Russia for protecting its independence and safety against dominant powers. He implied that the US and the West were the dominant powers. He also mentioned that he fully supports everything Russia does in response to these powers.
“And I want to make it clear that I will always support Russia in their fight against imperialism and for independence,” said the leader of North Korea.
After the discussions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that there are no intentions to sign any documents, as reported by Russian state media.
Peskov said that having a good relationship means talking and working together, especially in important areas like military cooperation and discussing important security problems.
Why it matters that Putin and Kim are meeting at a space center
During the tour, the two leaders visited the place where Russia plans to start using its new spacecraft.
According to state news agency TASS, the facilities were constructed to welcome and prepare rockets for launch, carry out the launches, and handle tasks after the launch.
Experts believe that the choice of the space center as the venue for Wednesday’s summit is important.
The meeting at Russia’s eastern spaceport is concerning because it could mean that Putin might give North Korea technology to launch satellites illegally, and in return, North Korea would provide weapons for Russia to use in their unlawful war in Ukraine. This was stated by Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, during an interview with CNN.
Moscow needs more ammunition and shells because the war in Ukraine has severely weakened its military. North Korea, on the other hand, lacks many important things like money, food, and missile technology due to years of international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea also said that the meeting will improve their relationship.
Kim came to Russia on Tuesday in his very protected private train with his friends and military leaders, as shown in pictures shared by North Korean state media.
Kim visited the border town of Khasan and was greeted by Russian officials. He said that his trip to Russia showed how important the relationship between North Korea and Moscow is.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Tuesday that the meeting between Putin and Kim is very important and goes beyond just the possibility of a weapons agreement.
Bolton told CNN that from North Korea’s perspective, this would reconnect them with Russia in an important way. It has been a while since they had such a connection, since the Soviet Union broke apart.
According to state media, after the discussions, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov said that North Korea is a nearby country to us.
“And no matter what others say, we will form good connections with the people living nearby in a way that is helpful for both us and them,” he stated.
Kim’s delegation includes Ri Pyong Chol, who is the military’s second-in-command. Ri is under sanctions from the US and UN because he played a leading role in the country’s ballistic missile programs as the former head of the Department of the Munitions Industry. His sister, Kim Yo Jong, who is a high-ranking official, was seen standing next to her brother when he signed a guest book.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is with Putin in Pyongyang. Shoigu went there in July. Putin said on Wednesday that Shoigu was welcomed in North Korea and that they have many questions.
Shortly before the meeting, North Korea fired two small missiles from the Sunan area around 11:43 a. mand eleven fifty-three in the morning. The time in the area near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported.
North Korea launched two missiles on Wednesday morning. These missiles flew about 650 kilometers (400 miles) before landing in the sea, as reported by the JCS.
The US and South Korean intelligence authorities are looking at more information about the launch. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it was a very serious action that endangers the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world.
Experts say it’s not common for Pyongyang to launch something when Kim is away from North Korea.
North Korea might want to demonstrate that their military is always prepared and in control, according to Easley.
“It is noteworthy that North Korea launches missiles despite being under UN sanctions, while Kim is in Russia for a meeting with the leader of a permanent member of the Security Council,” Easley mentioned.
Ankit Panda, a person who knows a lot about nuclear policy, said the launch was important.
Since 2019, Kim began to be less involved in testing and exercises. Many launches happened without him being there. “This launch could have happened because Panda said so. ”
This happens as North Korea has started using tactical nuclear weapons and giving more control to others.