SEOUL – Russia’s defense minister accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defense exhibition that featured the North’s banned ballistic missiles as the neighbors pledged to boost ties, North Korean state media reported on Thursday. Shoigu is making the first visit by a Russian defense minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union. Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean media reported. One analyst said Shoigu’s inspection of the North Korean missiles visit suggested Russian acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear program. Kim also met Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong for talks and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean media reported.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 28, 2023 00:17 UTC