Putin will help to turn North Korea into a "space power"
In exchange for technology, Kim Jong-un will apparently provide Russia with weapons
On the day of his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin confirmed to reporters that he was ready to help the DPRK build satellites.
The North Korean government called the launch of satellites into orbit the foundation of the country's future transformation into a "world-class space power." In exchange, Russia is likely to receive the North Korean missiles it needs to wage war in Ukraine.
During the press conference, Putin was asked whether Russia would help the DPRK build satellites. "That's why we came to the Vostochny cosmodrome," Putin replied.
North Korea has been unable to launch a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit since spring. According to the Korean Central News Agency, two launches in May and August failed, and a third attempt is planned for October.
In connection with the last attempt to launch a Korean satellite in August, Japan protested, saying that the DPRK's constant missile launches threaten peace and security in the region. According to the government's Secretary General Hirokazu Matsuno, the launches, even for the sake of putting the satellite into orbit, violate UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from launching ballistic missiles.
During the press conference, Putin was also asked whether military-technical cooperation with the DPRK (arms supplies) would be discussed at the meeting with Kim Jong-un: "We will talk about all issues, without rushing. There is time".
On the eve of the meeting, Western media reported that Putin would discuss arms supplies from North Korea with Kim Jong-un.
This information was later confirmed by the US National Security Council and Ukrainian intelligence. This could solve the problem of "shell hunger" in Russia's war against Ukraine.
"I have no doubt that North Korea can supply [Russia] with quite a few missiles. They have always had the military-industrial complex as a priority, and in a planned economy, it can be developed at a fairly rapid pace. The issue is with quality. The Korean People's Army has not actually fought since 1953. There hasn't been any full-fledged participation in a military intervention since then," says Fedor Tertytsky, a senior researcher at Kunming University (Seoul), according to the BBC.
The first data on the appearance of weapons from the DPRK on the Ukrainian front appeared a year ago, the supplies were small, Tertytsky suggests that the ammunition was received by the Wagner PMC.
The ammunition from the DPRK was discovered by Ukrainians, who said it was of disgusting quality, the expert recalled. In his opinion, the DPRK expects food aid from Russia first and foremost.
The talks between the two dictators have now ended. The Kremlin did not report whether any agreements were reached. It is noted that the talks between the leaders of the states were attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and Korean military leaders.
Background. As a reminder, the White House urged North Korea not to transfer weapons to Russia amid Kim Jong-un's visit.
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