Kim responded by saying that both leaders have the same positions on international affairs and accused the West of their meddling attitude. “We oppose the illegal pressure on Belarus from the West and express our support and understanding for the measures taken by the Belarusian leadership to ensure social and political stability and economic development,” he said.
Lukashenko and Kim are two prominent allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and both have provided logistical or military support to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Lukashenko described the populations of Belarus and North Korea as having “common values,” including patriotism, preservation of historical memory and respect for past generations. He added that “their economies complement each other, we need each other.”
The President of Belarus also said that other countries will not be pleased and North Korean-Belarusian relations, because they were “competitors.”
According to Human Rights WatchNorth Korea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world, while Belarus has a history of imprisonment opposition figures.
