Top DPRK leader meets visiting senior Russian official

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with visiting Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

Kim welcomed Shoigu, who visited Pyongyang at the time marking the first anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said the report.

Both sides discussed "the items of immediate cooperation and long-term plans arising in implementing the important matters agreed by the heads of state of the two countries through the exchanges of personal letters for several weeks," it added.

"Proceeding from a correct understanding of the current situation in the special military operations and Kursk Region," Kim confirmed the contents of cooperation within the range of the treaty between the two countries, accepted the relevant plans and discussed in detail the necessary cooperation plans, according to the report.

The two sides exchanged the views and opinions of the leaderships of the two countries on the issues of mutual concern, including the complicated international and regional situation, and reached a consensus of view, said the KCNA report.

The DPRK will "invariably and unconditionally" support the policy of Russia and honestly implement the articles of the treaty between the two countries, Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

In June 2024, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks and signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Pyongyang.