SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Vice Minister of Defence Aleksey Krivoruchko to discuss strengthening military cooperation between the two nations, according to the KCNA news agency on Friday.
Kim and Krivoruchko emphasized the necessity for North Korea and Russia to enhance their military collaboration to safeguard world peace and justice, as well as to protect their mutual security interests.
During the meeting held on Thursday, Krivoruchko conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Kim acknowledged with deep thanks.
The KCNA report did not provide additional details about Krivoruchko’s delegation or the specific objectives of his visit to North Korea.
The military ties between North Korea and Russia have grown stronger since a summit in the Russian Far East last year, where their leaders signed a strategic partnership treaty, including a mutual defense agreement during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June.
Seoul and Washington have accused North Korea and Russia of engaging in arms trade to bolster Russia’s missile and artillery supplies for its conflict with Ukraine. Both countries have denied these allegations.