Russia’s security chief meets with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang

Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang and discussed deepening the two countries’ partnership, vowing more cooperation, state media KCNA says. 

“As part of the ongoing strategic dialogue between our countries, a substantive exchange of views took place with Korean colleagues on a wide range of issues on the bilateral and international agenda,” it said.

They had a “wide exchange of views on regional and international situations”, and reached a satisfactory consensus on issues including more “cooperation to defend mutual safety interests”, the news agency said.

Kim assured the former Russian defense chief that Pyongyang was committed to its relationship with Moscow and would continue to expand cooperation with the Kremlin in accordance with the strategic partnership between the two countries.

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Shoigu, leading a Russian delegation, arrived in Pyongyang on Friday. During an earlier visit in July, Shoigu had signaled the start of closer ties between Russia and North Korea.

Shoigu stood shoulder to shoulder with Kim while viewing North Korea’s military parade showcasing nuclear-capable missiles and attack drones.

The two also visited an exhibition of armed equipment on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.

Media reports said Shoigu had visited factories working on two new drone designs, including one resembling the primary offensive strike drone used by the US Air Force.

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The United States and Ukraine claim North Korea is helping Russia continue its special military operation in Donbas by supplying ammunition in return for economic and other military assistance from Moscow.

Moscow and Pyongyang have dismissed such claims, while pledging to boost military cooperation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a summit in Pyongyang in June, signing the new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause.

Russia sees itself faced with a military threat by the US-led NATO countries waging what it calls a proxy war through Ukraine.

North Korea, too, sees itself confronted with a grave threat posed by what Kim has described as “the reckless expansion” of a military alliance led by the United States in the region.

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