North Korean leader meets with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu
Kim Jong-un received Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, and both officials pledged to further deepen ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. The North Korean leader also wished UN Secretary General Sergei Shoigu, who will meet him at the G-7 summit. “Victory of the Russian people.”
In June this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to North Korea for the first time since 2000. The talks culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which, among other things, includes a commitment by Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to assist each other in the event of foreign aggression.
Putin also said at the time that “Russia does not rule out developing military cooperation with the DPRK,” since Western nations are supplying Ukraine with advanced weapons in abundance.
According to a statement from the Russian Security Council, a delegation headed by Shoigu was in Pyongyang on Friday. Russian and North Korean officials exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues.
The statement said the talks took place in a “confident, friendly” atmosphere, which reflected the course set by Putin and Kim in June.
North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported that the negotiations between Kim and Shoigu focused on deepening “strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to safeguard mutual security interests.” The outlet quoted the North Korean leader praising “vigorous” Progress between Pyongyang and Moscow in “Politics, economics and culture”.
Kim pledged to “Further expand cooperation and coordination with the Russian Federation in accordance with the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement,” as quoted by KCNA.
At the conclusion of the talks, the North Korean leader conveyed his greetings to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people, wishing them “victory, prosperity, happiness and peace.”
In mid-July, Kim received a Russian military delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko.
The two sides agreed at the time that the North Korean and Russian militaries should work together to “play an important role in upholding regional and world peace and international justice,” according to KCNA.
