SEOUL, Sept 14 (Askume) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu to discuss deepening strategic dialogue between the two countries, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday.
KCNA said they had a “comprehensive exchange of views on regional and international situations” and reached satisfactory consensus on “strengthening cooperation to safeguard common security interests” and other issues.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un said that North Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation with Russia in accordance with the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Other countries, including the United States and Ukraine, as well as independent analysts say that Kim Jong UnRockets and missiles are being provided to help Russia invade Ukraine in exchange for economic and other military aid from Moscow .
Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations but have pledged to step up military cooperation and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership at a June summit.
Shoigu served as Russia’s defence minister until May this year and is currently the secretary of the Security Council.
At that time, he and Kim Jong Un watched a North Korean military parade that showcased nuclear missiles and attack drones. He is the first senior Russian defense official to visit North Korea since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
