North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry announced. The two nations are fostering stronger ties in response to what they see to be an antagonistic and belligerent Western camp led by the United States.
The meeting between Lavrov and Kim lasted more than an hour, according to the state-run TASS news agency in Russia. The ministry did not offer any more information.
Russia’s foreign ministry stated that Lavrov, who arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, had previously expressed gratitude to North Korea for endorsing Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine and promised Moscow’s “complete support and solidarity” for Kim.
Lavrov’s visit is said to have prepared President Vladimir Putin, who has increased collaboration with North Korea, for a visit.
Speaking on Wednesday at a banquet held by the North, Lavrov stated that Pyongyang’s “unwavering and principled support” for Russia in the conflict in Ukraine, which it refers to as a “special military operation,” is much appreciated by Moscow.
Lavrov stated, “Likewise, the Russian Federation extends its complete support and solidarity with the aspirations of the DPRK,” as per the speech text made public on the website of his ministry. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name, is abbreviated as DPRK.
Lavrov subsequently told reporters that heightened military actions by the United States and its allies Japan and South Korea were a matter for concern after meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, according to Russia’s state-run RIA news agency.
The South Korean Defence Ministry stated that on Thursday, the fleets of the United States, South Korea, Belgium, New Zealand, and the Philippines participated in an anti-naval mine drill off the southern coast of South Korea.
According to South Korea’s military, an uncommon landing by a US B-52 bomber on Thursday demonstrated the partnership between the two nations against North Korea’s growing nuclear threats.
Lavrov stated in his remarks that Russia, China, and North Korea were pursuing a strategy to try to reduce tensions in the area.
According to North Korean official media, Lavrov’s visit would be a “significant occasion” for the continued strengthening of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
A month after North Korean leader Kim made an unusual journey to Russia came Lavrov’s two-day visit. During his visit to Russia, Kim deliberated on military cooperation and invited Putin to his country.
Lavrov may also update North Korean leaders on the outcomes of Putin’s visit to China this week, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
According to a US think tank, satellite photographs released on Tuesday revealed ongoing activity near a North Korean port close to Russia, indicating at least six maritime voyages between the two nations since late August.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), located in Washington, stated that there may be a connection between the shipments made between the port of Rajin and Dunai, Russia, and the transfer of North Korean weapons to that country.
