Russia Is in 'Comprehensive' Defense Cooperation With North Korea

Russia has established "comprehensive" defense cooperation with North Korea as well as continuing its strategic partnerships with India and China, the chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told foreign military attaches Thursday.

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

The United States and its allies have voiced concern that Kim could provide weapons and ammunition to Russia to help replace stocks used in its war in Ukraine, and South Korean lawmakers said Russia had helped Pyongyang launch a reconnaissance satellite a month ago.

"The course towards developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and India continues. Active, comprehensive cooperation has been established with the DPRK," Gerasimov said in a year-end address, using an official abbreviation for North Korea.

He gave no further details.

The U.S. has said Russia may be helping North Korea to evade Russian-backed U.N. sanctions prohibiting cooperation with Pyongyang, notably in ballistic missile programs and aeronautical engineering.

The Kremlin said the allegation was "absolutely unfounded."

As East-West tensions spiral over Russia's war in Ukraine, which it calls a "special military operation," Gerasimov said Moscow remained committed to trying to prevent incidents, and maintained "lines of communication to respond to crisis situations," a reference to military hotlines with Washington.