North Korea shows support for Russian leadership over recent coup

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North Korea shows support for Russian leadership over recent coup

Published: 26 Jun. 2023, 10:51

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il is spotted in Vladivostok, Russia, in the run-up to a summit between the leaders of the North and Russia in 2019. [YONHAP]

North Korea "strongly" supports the Russian leadership over the recent coup by the Wagner mercenary group, the North's state media said Sunday.

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il, in a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Pyongyang, "expressed firm belief that the recent armed rebellion in Russia would be successfully put down," adding the country will endorse any option and decision by the Russian leadership, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Im also said he believes that Russia's army and people will overcome their ordeals and "heroically" emerge victorious in the war with Ukraine, it added.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Wagner Group, launched an armed revolt against the Russian military leadership Friday, ordering his troops to march on Moscow. But he halted his armed forces' advance to Moscow a day after a deal, brokered by Belarus, was reached with the Kremlin.

North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of the war and is accused of providing arms to Russia.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO, YONHAP [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]