North Korean media say leader Kim Jong Un has conveyed to Russia’s visiting defense minister the willingness to enhance ties with Moscow in military and other areas.
North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Saturday that Kim met Russian defense minister Andrei Belousov in Pyongyang the previous day.
In the meeting, Kim reportedly criticized Western countries, including the United States, for allowing Ukraine to use long-range strike weapons supplied by them to attack targets in Russia.
The report said Kim called the move direct military intervention.
Kim was quoted as saying that it is an exercise of the right to self-defense for Russia to take resolute action to make the hostile forces pay the price.
He reportedly affirmed his support for Russia’s stance of defending its sovereignty and territory in the military operation against Ukraine.
Kim also expressed a readiness to strengthen bilateral relations in all fields, based on the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that calls for mutual military assistance if either country is attacked. The two countries have completed procedures to ratify the pact.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency says experts raised the possibility of Russia asking Pyongyang to further provide weapons or send troops, in exchange for compensation from Moscow.