North Korea Officially Recognizes Independence of Donetsk

North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol presented a document on which  Pyongyang recognized the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) as an independent.

"North Korean Ambassador Sin Hong-chol has presented a document on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic to DPR Ambassador Olga Makeyeva," the DPR embassy said in a statement on Telegram on Wednesday.

Sin handed over the document to DPR Ambassador to Moscow Olga Makeyeva. The ambassadors agreed on further steps to establish diplomatic relations. Makeyeva voiced confidence that "cooperation between countries, which now has official status, will be fruitful and mutually beneficial."

https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1547213490238246912

In the same vein, DPR Foreign Minister Natalya Nikonorova said on July 12 that talks were underway with North Korea on the DPR’s recognition.

Last February, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree as he recognised the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

In an address broadcast on state-run television, Putin said: “I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic.”

Following the hour-long speech, Putin stated that if Ukraine did not “immediately” end military operations in its eastern regions, Kyiv would hold “all responsibility for the possible continuation of bloodshed”