Wonsan: North Korea's Kim Jong Un has reiterated his support for Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine, according to state media reports on Sunday. This declaration of support came after Kim's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the eastern North Korean port city of Wonsan, as reported by Pyongyang's state news agency KCNA.

According to Deutsche Welle, Lavrov's visit to North Korea marks the latest in a series of high-profile visits by top Moscow officials as both nations seek to deepen military and political ties amid Russia's continued offensive against Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to Russia's Kursk region to assist in ousting Kyiv forces, and it has also been supplying the Russian army with weapons.

In a visit to North Korea last month, Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russia's Security Council and former defense minister, stated that Kim Jong Un agreed to deploy an additional 6,000 military engineers and workers to the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. This move underscores the growing military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed these figures, adding that North Korea has already provided Russia with over 10 million artillery rounds and missiles. In return, North Korea is receiving economic cooperation and military technology. At the end of June, North Korean state media released images of Kim honoring flag-draped coffins of what appeared to be North Korean soldiers who died fighting for Russia against Ukraine.