Kim Jong Un’s Visit to Russian Fighter Jet Factory Raises Concerns about Military Cooperation with North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited an aircraft manufacturing factory in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk region, Russia, Friday (15/9/2023). Photo/REUTERS

MOSCOW – Leader North Korea (Jewelry) Kim Jong-un visit a fighter jet factory Russia which is under Western sanctions on Friday (15/9/2023). This makes the United States (US) and its allies worried that it could strengthen Russia’s military in Ukraine and support Pyongyang’s missile program.

Kim, 39, visited aviation facilities in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia’s far east, the Yuri Gagarin Aviation Factory and the Yakovlev factory. Both are units of the United Aircraft Corporation, which is sanctioned by the West.

The Russian government said at the Gagarin factory, which is also specifically sanctioned by the US, Kim inspected the assembly workshop where the Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 multirole fighters are made, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

Kim, wearing a suit and accompanied by North Korean military officials in military uniforms, was seen on Russian state television carefully examining the cockpit of a fighter jet as Russian officials explained its capabilities through a translator.

He then inspected the workshop where the fuselage compartment and wing assemblies of the Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 are made before watching a flight demonstration of the Su–35. He seemed to nod as the fighter jet went into action.

Russia has gone to great lengths to publicize the visit and repeatedly hinted at the prospects for military cooperation with North Korea, which was formed in 1948 with the support of the Soviet Union.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un were known to have discussed military issues, the war in Ukraine and deepening cooperation with North Korea when they met last Wednesday.

For Putin, who says Russia is engaged in a bitter battle with the West over Ukraine, courting Kim allows him to attack Washington and its Asian allies, while potentially securing large supplies of artillery for the war in Ukraine.

2023-09-15 10:05:24
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