Kim Jong-un rebuffs South Korea's aid. Thanks Putin for support
Kim Jong Un thanked Vladimir Putin for Russia's readiness to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea after the recent floods. Neighbours from the south also declared their willingness to help. However, the North Korean dictator called Seoul "scum".
"You can always count on our help and support," Putin reportedly wrote to Kim. The North Korean leader responded that he deeply feels exceptional emotions towards a true friend in the most difficult time. He thanked for the offer of support but assured that Pyongyang had independently planned actions after the flood and would ask Moscow for help later if needed.
Due to heavy rains in northwest North Korea on 27 July, more than 4,000 houses, farmland, buildings, roads, and railways were flooded. The AP agency emphasised that the toll is not known. Kim said the flood caused "casualties that cannot be allowed."
South Korea offers help. "Scum"
On Thursday, South Korea also offered to help Pyongyang. However, due to very tense bilateral relations, experts believe Kim will either reject or ignore this offer.
On Friday, Kim called South Korea "scum," and the local media, which he described as "trash," for allegedly tarnishing the image of his country by exaggerating the number of flood fatalities.
The rapprochement between Russia and North Korea took place against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine. The United States and its allies accused the regime in Pyongyang of supplying Russia with ammunition and missiles for the war.
