North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday discussed strengthening the “strategic and tactical coordination” of the two countries’ militaries, North Korean media reported.
After Kim inspected strategic bombers and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and visited a Pacific Fleet barracks near the city of Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, Shoigu treated the North Korean leader to lunch, the North’s official news agency wrote.
At the event, Shoigu expressed “the desire to further deepen friendship and cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries.”
North Korean counterpart Kang Sun-nam spoke of “further strengthening unity and cooperation with the Russian military and responsibly protecting regional and global peace and stability.”
Also according to the news agency, after the banquet, Shoigu and Kim “exchanged constructive views on practical issues related to strengthening strategic and tactical coordination, on cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries and on the areas of Defense and National Security”. Security”.
Kim and Shoigu met in Pyongyang in July, when the Russian minister proposed that North Korea hold joint naval exercises with Russia and China, South Korean intelligence said.
After lunch, Kim watched the ballet “Sleeping Beauty,” KCNA added.
The North Korean leader met with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Vostotchny, about five thousand miles east of Moscow.
No agreement has been signed between the two countries, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
The United States has said it suspects that Russia wants to buy weapons from Pyongyang for use in the war against Ukraine, while North Korea wants to acquire technologies for its nuclear and missile programs.
Washington has warned Pyongyang that it will face consequences if it contributes to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Source: DN
