MOSCOW: North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui met with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow to discuss “upcoming political contacts” between their nations. This meeting follows the September summit where Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted an invitation to visit North Korea from its leader Kim Jong-un.
According to Yonhap News Agency,the diplomats exchanged views on bilateral relations and the implementation of agreements from the September summit. The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to resolving tensions in Northeast Asia, criticizing what they described as provocative actions by the United States and its allies. Additionally, Choe met with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to discuss enhancing trade and economic cooperation. The Kremlin has expressed interest in further developing relations with North Korea, including in sensitive areas. This visit comes amidst accusations from the U.S. and its allies of North Korea providing military support to Russia for its conflict in Ukraine in exchange for assistance in Pyongyang’s weapons development.