North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un has held discussions with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about strengthening the countries’ military cooperation, according to the state-run North Korean news agency KCNA.
On Saturday, Kim and Shoigu are said to have discussed “practical issues that arise to further strengthen the strategic and tactical coordination, cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries”, according to the North Korean propaganda agency.
The meeting took place in Vladivostok in eastern Russia on Saturday, in connection with a trip to a military air base and later a naval base.
The North Korean dictator’s tour of eastern Russia began on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Kim met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny spaceport, and on Friday he visited a factory that manufactures combat planes in Komsomolsk, Russia.
Along for the Russia tour are Kim’s top military officials, including his defense minister and the top commanders of the air force and navy.
The US has warned that the reception Kim receives in Russia signals potential agreements, for example that North Korea may supply Russia with ammunition that can be used in the war of aggression against Ukraine. There is widespread concern in South Korea that North Korea would receive advanced weapons technology in exchange.