Why China faces a ‘dilemma’ as North Korea’s Kim vows steadfast support for Russia
China is deeply concerned about Ukraine war and ‘very grave’ situation in Korean peninsula but may find its leverage tested, observers say
Observers said North Korea’s deepening military ties with Russia might leave China in a bind, with tensions on the Korean peninsula at the “most dangerous” point in more than 70 years.
According to North Korean state media, Kim pledged to expand cooperation in all areas including military affairs during a “friendly and trustworthy” meeting with visiting Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov in Pyongyang on Friday.
The North Korean “government, army and people will invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists’ moves for hegemony”, Kim was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency on Saturday.
“It is an exercise of the right to self-defence for Russia to take resolute action to make the hostile forces pay the price,” Kim said.
