Russian President Vladimir Putin has provided condolences to North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un over devastating floods that brought about untold casualties and broken 1000’s of houses, the Kremlin stated on Saturday.
The North, in flip, stated Sunday that Putin had additionally provided “immediate humanitarian support” to help its restoration efforts, to which Kim responded that he “could deeply feel the special emotion towards a genuine friend”.
Pyongyang stated this week it had seen a file downpour on July 27 which killed an unspecified variety of individuals, flooded dwellings and submerged swathes of farmland within the north close to China.
“I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to all those who lost their loved ones as a result of the storm,” Putin stated in a telegram to Kim.
“You can always count on our help and support.”
“The message of sympathy from Moscow was conveyed to the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK” on Saturday, stated the official KCNA, noting it was instantly reported to chief Kim.
Kim thanked Putin for the outreach however stated “already-established plans as state measures were taken at the present stage”.
Regarding the supply Kim stated “if aid is necessary in the course, he would ask for it from the truest friends in Moscow”, KCNA reported.
Pyongyang stated on Wednesday that officers who uncared for their catastrophe prevention duties had brought about unspecified casualties, with out offering particulars on the placement.
It stated on Saturday that there have been no casualties in any respect within the Sinuiju space, the area Pyongyang claimed suffered the “greatest flood damage.”
North Korea and Russia have been allies for the reason that North’s founding after World War II and have drawn even nearer since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Media in South Korea, which has provided pressing help to the victims, stated this week the toll of lifeless and lacking may very well be as excessive as 1,500.
Kim lashed out on the stories, dismissing them as a “smear campaign to bring disgrace upon us and tarnish” the North’s picture.
North Korea is accused of breaching arms management measures by supplying weapons to Russia to be used in its warfare in Ukraine.
Natural disasters are inclined to have a better influence on the remoted and impoverished nation as a result of its weak infrastructure, whereas deforestation has left it susceptible to flooding.
Source: www.anews.com.tr