Putin and North Korea's foreign minister discuss strengthening ties, KCNA says

Reuters

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the two sides reviewed “many future projects” aimed at continually strengthening and developing their partnership. Choe also delivered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s “brotherly greetings” to Putin.

The visit comes amid international concern over growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. Western governments have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with soldiers and artillery for its war in Ukraine in exchange for advanced military technology.

Earlier Monday, Choe also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. KCNA said both sides reached full agreement on “strategic issues of global concern.” During the meeting, North Korea expressed support for Russia’s actions to “eliminate the root cause of the Ukraine conflict,” while Moscow reaffirmed backing for Pyongyang’s efforts to defend its “security interests and sovereign rights,” the agency said.

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