“The analysis shows a reduction in the number of exchanges between Xi and Kim.”, — write: www.unian.ua
The analysis shows a reduction in the number of exchanges between Xi and Kim.
North Korea and Russia intensify exchanges at a high level / collage UNIAN, photo REUTERS, screenshotNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping in what appeared to be subdued rhetoric that comes as Pyongyang grows closer to Russia and becomes less dependent on its longtime Asian ally, Bloomberg reports.Kim wished “the Chinese people great success in building a modern socialist country” in a related message to Xi as he congratulated North Korea on his birthday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Sunday.
The 190-word message lacked the elaborate language that has been a staple of their correspondence, which has shrunk significantly this year, according to analysis by Seoul-based specialist service NK Pro. It listed three mentions of bilateral exchanges mentioned in state media this year between Xi and Kim, compared with 10 in 2023.
Descriptions of bilateral relations are “less enthusiastic,” NK Pro founder Chad O’Carroll wrote in an analysis. The cooler and more restrained language in the letters this year compared to 2023 “indicates a palpable distance in the once warm personal relationship between the two leaders.”
North Korea has often used the analogy of its ties with China being as close as “lips and teeth”. Its official media often spoke of “deep trust and friendly feelings for the brotherly people of China.”
Kim, meanwhile, has increased his exchanges with Russia over the past year. The US and its partners have said this has led to an increase in arms shipments, with Pyongyang sending millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia to help President Vladimir Putin in his war with Ukraine.
In return, Russia sent aid that bolstered North Korea’s economy and helped Kim advance his weapons programs, according to Seoul and Washington. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the accusations, despite evidence that the arms shipments took place.
The artillery alone is likely to cost several billion dollars, and the aid from Russia could be the biggest boost to North Korea’s economy since Kim took power.
China has been North Korea’s biggest benefactor for much of the post-Cold War period, providing an economic lifeline for Pyongyang.
Cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation – detailsThis month, Russia sent Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to Pyongyang for talks with Kim. North Korea later sent Foreign Minister Choi Song-hee to Russia for a rare trip abroad that included talks with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
In June, Kim hosted Putin for the first visit by a Russian leader to Pyongyang in more than 20 years, where the two countries reached an agreement to help each other in the event of an attack. The North Korean leader also promised to “unconditionally support” Russia in invading Ukraine.
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence has said that North Korean arms shipments to Moscow have become a serious problem for his country’s defense as the full-scale invasion of Russia continues for the third year.
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