North Korea’s Kim Meets Russia’s Shoigu, Pledges Increased Cooperation, Reports KCNA

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently met with Sergei Shoigu, a senior Russian security official, to discuss enhancing strategic dialogue between their nations, according to state media reports.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions regarding regional and international situations, achieving mutual agreement on the need for increased cooperation to safeguard their shared interests. Kim emphasized North Korea’s commitment to further collaboration with Russia, aligning with the strategic partnership established between the two countries.

Analysts and officials in the United States and Ukraine, among others, claim that Kim is aiding Russia in its military actions in Ukraine by providing rockets and missiles in exchange for economic and military support from Moscow. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have refuted these allegations but have expressed intentions to fortify military cooperation, having formalized a comprehensive strategic partnership during a summit in June.

Shoigu, who previously served as Russia’s defense minister until May and is now the secretary of the Security Council, marked the start of closer North Korea-Russia relations with his visit to Pyongyang in July of the previous year. During that visit, he joined Kim in observing a military parade that displayed nuclear-capable missiles and attack drones, making him the first high-ranking Russian defense official to travel to North Korea since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.