North Korean FM in Moscow: Arms Deal Concerns Rise

North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, is embarking on a three-day visit to Russia, raising international concerns about a purported arms cooperation agreement between the two nations.

Choe Son Hui and her delegation arrived in Moscow on Sunday, as confirmed by North Korea’s official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency. Her primary meeting is scheduled with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, according to Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The invitation for Choe’s visit to Russia came from Sergey Lavrov, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The United States and South Korea have alleged that North Korea supplied arms, including artillery and missiles, to Russia to support its involvement in Ukraine.

The Biden administration claims to possess evidence that missiles provided by North Korea to Russia have been deployed in Ukraine. In a joint statement issued last week, the U.S. and South Korea, along with their partners, asserted that these missiles assist Russia’s war efforts while North Korea gains valuable technical and military knowledge in return.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry, represented by Koo Byoungsam, is closely monitoring Choe’s visit to Russia. He accused North Korea and Russia of engaging in “unlawful cooperative activities, including arms exchanges” after a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September. When asked about the possibility of a visit by Putin to North Korea, Koo did not provide a specific response.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied the allegations of arms transfers from North Korea to Russia.