North Korea, Russia foreign ministers hold strategic talks in Moscow — report

SEOUL — North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held their third strategic dialogue in Moscow on Monday, according to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA reported Tuesday that the two officials reached a consensus on all issues discussed, with the meeting focusing on implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by North Korea and Russia in June 2024.

During the talks, Russia expressed full support for North Korea's efforts to counter what KCNA described as hostile actions that threaten the country's position, development, sovereignty, and security interests.

North Korea, in turn, reaffirmed its "invariable support" for Russian policies aimed at addressing what it called the "root cause" of the conflict in Ukraine while defending Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia has maintained that its 2022 invasion of Ukraine was a response to NATO's expansion and alleged threats to Russian-speaking communities. Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected those claims, describing the invasion as an unprovoked war.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Choe also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday and delivered greetings from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. KCNA confirmed the meeting in a separate report on Tuesday.

According to KCNA, the foreign ministers also discussed future high-level exchanges, plans to expand bilateral cooperation, and coordination on major international issues.

North Korea has strengthened its military cooperation with Russia during the war in Ukraine. North Korean troops helped Russian forces repel a major Ukrainian incursion into Russia's western Kursk region that began in 2024.

Under the countries' mutual defense pact, North Korea is estimated to have deployed about 14,000 troops to support Russian operations in the Kursk region.

Analysts are closely watching Choe's visit for signs that it could pave the way for another trip to Russia by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kim last visited Russia for a summit with Putin in 2023, and Putin extended another invitation during their June 2024 meeting in Pyongyang.

North Korea has also continued to strengthen relations with China. This month, the two countries have held a series of high-level exchanges to mark the 65th anniversary of their friendship and mutual defense treaty. -Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Nia Williams/Reuters