North Korea Will Help Russia Rebuild Kursk

JAKARTA - Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said North Korea would send thousands of military construction workers and mine seekers to support Kursk's rebuilding after meeting with Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday.

"DPRK State Leader Kim Jong-un has decided to send 1,000 mine seekers to Russia to clear mines in Russian territory, as well as 5,000 military construction workers to restore the infrastructure destroyed by the invaders," he said using North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as reported by TASS on June 18.

"I think this work will start in the near future," he added, adding that certain areas needed to be cleared of mines first," Shoigu said.

According to Shoigu, Moscow and Pyongyang also plan to create a memorial for Korean soldiers who died while releasing Kursk Region.

"Our head of state has decided to perpetuate the achievements of the soldiers of the Korean People's Army who participated in the battle," he said.

"In particular, we are talking about the opening of a memorial monument in Russia and the DPRK in memory of Korean soldiers who died in fighting for the release of Russian territory. Related to this, during the visit, it was discussed the construction of a memorial complex with a museum in Pyongyang with the participation of the Russian side," Shoigu added.

Shoigu said the talks lasted for two hours, carrying out what he called "special instructions" from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said he also hoped that direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang would also restart for the first time in more than 30 years.

Yesterday's visit was the third time to Russia in almost three months. He explained this frequency with the high speed of implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang.

"First of all, this is related to the intensity of the implementation of this agreement, which was actually signed a year ago," he explained.

"The speed that has been set in the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, of course, requires continuous attention and regular adjustments and decision-making at all levels," Shoigu said.