• North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un meets Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu, reaffirming support for Russia's actions in Ukraine.
• Recent South Korean intelligence suggests North Korea has sent additional troops to aid Russia amidst heavy casualties.
• Both nations reaffirm their commitment to a mutual defense treaty established last year in Pyongyang.
• Kim announces North Korea will provide "invariable support" to Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In a significant meeting held in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his staunch support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as reported by North Korean state media. This meeting with Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Security Council secretary, took place on March 22 and follows a South Korean intelligence assessment indicating that North Korea had likely dispatched more troops to support Russia after sustaining significant casualties in the ongoing conflict. During this high-level discussion, Kim and Shoigu engaged in talks covering various aspects of the Russian military efforts, as well as discussions regarding security across the Korean Peninsula and dialogues with the Trump administration.

According to reports from Channel News Asia, both leaders emphasized their commitment to a mutual defense treaty signed during a summit in Pyongyang last year. This treaty guarantees mutual support should either country face aggression, underscoring the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia. Kim expressed that North Korea will offer "invariable support" to Russia in terms of upholding sovereignty and national integrity. He remarked on the need for solidarity regarding crucial geopolitical issues, particularly in relation to Ukraine.

In a gesture to reaffirm their alliance, Shoigu carried a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who commended North Korea's support and pledged to prioritize the implementation of previous agreements made during summits. Despite the gravity of the meeting, reports from both North Korean and Russian media did not indicate any new agreements were finalized before Shoigu's departure.

Reports from South Korean and Western intelligence suggest that North Korea has supplied a substantial number of conventional arms to Russia and has deployed between 10,000 and 12,000 troops in recent months, with more possibly on the way. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, the exact number of additional personnel remains under assessment, with some estimates suggesting that 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers may have been sent more recently. This military cooperation appears to be part of a strategic exchange, wherein North Korea receives military and economic assistance from Russia in response to its arms and troop contributions.

There are speculations that Shoigu’s visit may herald preparations for an upcoming visit by Kim to Russia, a prospect initially raised when Putin invited Kim during his last trip to Pyongyang. In previous interactions, such as during Shoigu's visits in 2023 and 2024, he toured North Korean arms exhibitions, which some analysts have interpreted as acts geared towards expanding military cooperation.

On the same day of the meeting, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim oversaw tests of new anti-aircraft missiles, branding them as a crucial addition to North Korea's defense capabilities. This marked another phase in North Korea's military activities this year, coinciding with the completion of U.S. and South Korean military drills, which North Korea often responds to with missile tests and strong rhetoric. Notably, on March 10, shortly after the U.S.-South Korean exercises began, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles into the sea, reflecting its longstanding opposition to joint military operations between the two allies.

For further details, refer to reports from South China Morning Post and India Times.