Russian Wounded Soldiers Receive Treatment in North Korea, Ambassador Reports

Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine receive medical care in North Korea, as per Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. Relations between the two nations have strengthened, focusing on military and trade cooperation. Despite a strategic partnership, specifics regarding the treatment of soldiers were not included in agreements. North Korea provides care at no cost while enhancing military support to Russia.

According to Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, soldiers injured in the conflict in Ukraine are receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation services in North Korea. This statement was made during an interview published on February 9 by the Russian state media outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

In recent years, the relationship between North Korea and Russia has grown significantly, leading to increased geopolitical cooperation against Western powers, which threatens global stability. A strategic partnership agreement ratified in fall 2024 included enhancements in trade, scientific, technical, and defense collaboration, though it did not specifically address the care of wounded Russian troops.

Ambassador Matsegora emphasized that the treatment of Russian military personnel in North Korea is provided free of charge in “the best hospitals and sanatoriums,” with hundreds of wounded soldiers reportedly sent there. He noted that North Korean officials expressed displeasure when Russia offered financial compensation for the care provided.

Additionally, children of Russian service members who lost their lives in Ukraine are vacationing in North Korea, and the nations are fostering exchanges for university students. Russia is also involved in supplying North Korea with essential goods such as coal, food, and medicine.

The military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang intensified in 2024, culminating in a mutual defense agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin with Kim Jong Un in June. Subsequently, North Korean military support in the form of weapons and troops was reportedly amplified, with up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia’s Kursk region to assist in combat against Ukrainian forces.

This article highlights the evolving partnership between Russia and North Korea, particularly concerning the treatment of injured Russian soldiers in North Korea and broader military cooperation. The free medical services offered and the increasing exchanges between the two nations showcase their strategic alignment amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Western countries.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com