North Korea: Kim and Russian Security Chief Hold Talks

(ANSA) – SEOUL, SEPTEMBER 14 – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held talks with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu during his visit to the country, Pyongyang state media reported. Shoigu’s trip comes as Moscow seeks ammunition to continue its more than 30-month-old offensive in Ukraine and as the West accuses Pyongyang of sending weapons to Moscow. President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in June and signed a mutual defense pact with the hermit state. “There was a broad exchange of views on the strategic dialogue between the two countries and on strengthening cooperation to defend each other’s security interests and on the regional and international situation,” North Korean state media said, confirming the meeting. Kim “said the DPRK government would further expand cooperation and collaboration” with Russia on the basis of the treaty signed in June, it added, using the country’s official name. Russia’s Security Council also said on its website that Shoigu’s meeting with Kim “will make an important contribution to the implementation” of the defense pact. Shoigu has been head of Russia’s Security Council since stepping down as defense minister in May. Experts have long believed that North Korean missiles are deployed in Ukraine. A new report from Conflict Armament Research this week used debris analysis to show “that missiles produced this year in North Korea are being used in Ukraine.” Moscow has had historic ties with Pyongyang since the Soviet Union helped found North Korea, but has warmed relations since it launched its 2022 offensive in Ukraine that severed ties with the West. (ANSA)