Russia says it maintains “comprehensive” defense cooperation with North Korea

Russia has established “comprehensive” defense cooperation with North Koreain addition to continuing its strategic partnerships with India and China, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, declared to the attachés on Thursday. foreign military.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin organized a summit with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September, and there have been other exchanges.

USA and his allies have expressed concern about the possibility of Kim providing weapons and ammunition to Russia to help replace stocks used in their war in Ukraineand South Korean lawmakers said Russia helped Pyongyang launch a reconnaissance satellite a month ago.

“The course continues towards the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and India. Active and comprehensive cooperation has been established with the DPRK” Gerasimov declared in a year-end speech, using an official abbreviation for North Korea.

USA has stated that Russia could be helping North Korea to evade the sanctions of the UNsupported by Russiawhich prohibit cooperation with Pyongyang, especially in ballistic missile and aeronautical engineering programs.

The Kremlin said the accusation is “absolutely unfounded.”

In the midst of spiraling tensions between East and West due to the war Russia in Ukrainewhich he describes as “special military operationGerasimov said Moscow remains committed to trying to avoid incidents and maintainslines of communication to respond to crisis situations”, in reference to the military hotlines with Washington.

(Reporting from Reuters; writing by Kevin Liffey; editing in Spanish by Carlos Serrano)

With information from Reuters