North Korea recognizes independence of pro-Russian separatist states in Ukraine

North Korea formally recognized the independence of two pro-Russian separatist states in eastern Ukraine Thursday, according to North Korean state media. North Korea is the third nation to do so, after Russia and Syria.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun-hui [YONHAP]

North Korea formally recognized the independence of two pro-Russian separatist states in eastern Ukraine Thursday, according to North Korean state media.

North Korea is the third nation to do so, after Russia and Syria.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui sent letters to the foreign ministers of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic on Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Ukraine announced immediately that it has severed relations with Pyongyang over the move.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]