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N Korean FM meets Putin in Moscow, praises 'comradely' bilateral ties

Wednesday, 17 January 2024 6:16 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 17 January 2024 6:56 AM ]

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with North Korean Foreign Minister in Moscow on Jan. 16, 2024.

North Korean Foreign Minister has lauded the “comradely” ties with Russia during talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as they discussed deepening bilateral ties.

Choe Son Hui said the meeting was evidence that "friendly" bilateral ties were "developing in accordance with the plans of the two countries' leaders".

The North Korean top diplomat, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and presidential aide Yury Ushakov briefed Putin on the results of agreements reached at a meeting earlier in the day, according to a Kremlin statement.

Choe said, "The fact that now the foreign ministers of the two countries often meet and deepen comradely ties is yet more proof that the Korean-Russian friendly relations, with a long history of friendship and tradition, are energetically moving forward in accordance with the plans of the leaders."

Lavrov also said, "We always support North Korea at the United Nations and very much appreciate your similar stance in support for Russia's position, including on matters related to our special military operation in Ukraine."

According to Lavrov, one of the goals of the meeting was "to conduct a preliminary review of efforts" toward the implementation of agreements reached by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Space Launch Center in September 2023, including helping Pyongyang build satellites.

Kim visits Russia, given tour of Vostochny cosmodrome

The leader of the Democratic People

"These contacts mark the beginning of an intensive and demanding but also fruitful and rewarding work to expand our relations across the board. We are preparing several other important events, including on cultural and humanitarian matters," he said.

In mid-September, Putin and Kim met at a summit at the space center located in Russia’s far-eastern Amur region where they inspected the facilities and held talks on how Russia could help North Korea build satellites, as well as a possible arms deal.

At the time, the United States claimed its intelligence sources confirmed that Russia and North Korea were "actively advancing" in the weapons deal.

North Korea has been under harsh sanctions by the US and the United Nations Security Council for years over its defensive nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The sanctions have, however, failed to halt the country's nuclear program.

Pyongyang also says its missile drills are a "just countermeasure" against the joint US-South Korea war games.

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