The flag of the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is fluttering in front of the Russian Embassy in Moscow. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] North Korea has officially recognized the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. Ukraine immediately declared the severance of diplomatic relations with North Korea, calling it "an attempt to undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity."
On the 13th (local time), according to RIA Novosti and others, Shin Hong-chul, North Korea's ambassador to Russia, delivered a certificate of recognition of independence to Olga Makeyeva, DPR's ambassador to Russia. Additionally, Kim Song, North Korea's ambassador to the UN, told reporters, "We are fully prepared to support Russia's position regarding Donetsk (DPR) and Luhansk (LPR)."
DPR and LPR are republics declared in 2014 by pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. Russia recognized the independence of DPR and LPR on February 21, just before its invasion of Ukraine. Besides Russia, the only countries that have recognized the independence of DPR and LPR are Syria, whose regime is led by Bashar al-Assad and supported by Russia, and North Korea.
After the report, on the 14th, the Korean Central News Agency confirmed, "The Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent letters to the Foreign Ministers of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic yesterday." The agency reported that Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, in the letter, "notified the decision of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic," and "expressed the intention to develop state relations with these countries based on the ideals of independence, peace, and friendship."
Following North Korea's recognition of DPR and LPR, Ukraine immediately responded by declaring the severance of diplomatic relations with North Korea. In a statement posted on its website on the 13th, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "North Korea's decision is regarded as an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also tweeted, "Ukraine is severing diplomatic relations with North Korea today," adding, "This is a response to the decision to recognize the so-called independence of the territories temporarily occupied by Russia in Donetsk and Luhansk regions."
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