The Korean Central News Agency announced on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered humanitarian assistance to North Korea, which is experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding. Relations between the two countries have become closer, and Putin made this offer in a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, delivered on Saturday through the Russian embassy in Pyongyang. The Russian leader's message expressed sympathy and support.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Putin showed "readiness to provide immediate humanitarian support for recovery from flood damage." The statement noted that Kim thanked Russia for this offer but clarified that his government had already taken measures for relief efforts, indicating he would request assistance "when needed."
The agency mentioned that heavy rains recently hit the northwestern regions of North Korea, causing over 4,000 homes to be flooded and isolating around 5,000 residents. Kim inspected the affected areas and oversaw rescue efforts.
The Korean Central News Agency did not mention a separate proposal made by South Korea last week to provide flood relief supplies but did release a statement from the North Korean Foreign Ministry criticizing recent joint military drills between South Korea and the United States.
On Thursday, the South Korean Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs, stated that it is ready to discuss flood relief with the Red Cross in the North, a rare initiative during the presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol. In recent months, Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened their diplomatic and security relations, with Kim and Putin exchanging visits and signing a "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement in June.
