Putin accepts Kim's invitation to North Korea, U.S. warns of arms deals

The North Korean state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin "reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition" between the two countries after accepting the invitation by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center left, speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center right, during a state reception dinner held after Wednesday's summit at Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reception held on Wednesday.

According to the North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency, on Thursday, during a state dinner, Kim Jong-un asked Putin to visit Pyongyang at a "convenient time," and Putin accepted the invitation with "pleasure."

The state media said that Putin "reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition" between the two countries.

The reception followed a summit between Kim and Putin, marking the first such meeting in four years at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's leading spaceport.

During their talks, Putin said he intends to assist North Korea's satellite program.

North Korea failed to launch its reconnaissance satellites twice, on May 21 and Aug. 24.

North Korea, after admitting the launches failed, said it will make another satellite launch attempt in October.

The U.S. government said it speculates that Moscow is seeking artillery shells from North Korea to replenish its depleting stock because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly two years.

Although neither side has disclosed the details of this arms arrangement, the exchange between the two countries violates the sanctions imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council.

The U.S. government has warned North Korea against providing any arms supply, including ammunition, to Russia, as such assistance may aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

"I've said before, we continue to urge North Korea to meet its public commitments not to support Russia's war in Ukraine," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday.

"No nation on the planet, nobody, should be helping Mr. Putin kill innocent Ukrainians," he said. "As [U.S. National Security Advisor] Jake Sullivan said last week, there will certainly be repercussions for North Korea, both from the United States and from the international community."

While Kirby did not provide details about the arms deal that may have been arranged between Kim and Putin, he said, "Any arrangement that would improve North Korea's military capabilities would be of significant concern to us."

The South Korean government has not commented on the meeting other than the warning it made to Russia on Tuesday to act more responsibly as a member of the UN Security Council.

This meeting comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in East Asia, particularly the strained relationship between the U.S. and China.

The strengthening alliance among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, especially since a summit of their leaders at Camp David in the U.S. in August, is believed to be reshaping diplomatic dynamics in the region.

Kirby, while saying trust and confidence are lacking in North Korea and Russia's relationship, said the two countries' improved bilateral relations could prompt China to seek stronger ties with North Korea.

Meanwhile, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday that the alliance with the U.S. will continue, with the 23rd Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) scheduled to take place on Monday in Seoul.

The meeting will involve major defense and foreign affairs officials from both countries, addressing issues such as deterring North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, strengthening joint defense efforts and discussing the transfer of wartime operational control.

Additionally, the meeting will touch on the UN Security Council Meeting scheduled for November.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]