December 05, 2023
Analysis

‘Top salesman’ Kim Jong Un used arms expo to hawk weapons to Russia: Experts

Shoigu’s visit suggests Moscow seeks arms for Ukraine war, though some see it as attempt to send warning to US and ROK

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu around a large-scale weapons exhibition in Pyongyang on Wednesday, showing off new drones resembling U.S. aircraft and massive missiles capable of striking Washington.

And experts assessed that the high-profile meeting with the general charged with overseeing the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine resembled a sales pitch, in a sign that the DPRK is looking to provide heavy weaponry for Russia’s war effort.