N. Korean foreign minister returns home after trip to Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, third right, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, fourth right, and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, third left, hold a meeting at the Moscow Kremlin, Russia, Jan, 16. Reuters-Yonhap

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui returned home Friday after a visit to Moscow that involved a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid deepening military cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation led by Choe arrived via Pyongyang International Airport, where they were greeted by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Chol-jun, Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Military Attache Valeri Isaenko of the Russian Embassy, the North's Korean Central News Agency said in a short dispatch.

Choe's trip to Moscow came as the countries have been seeking to strengthen military cooperation, with the North providing Russia with arms for use in its war against Ukraine in exchange for Russia's technical assistance for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

Choe, who visited Moscow at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, held bilateral talks with Lavrov on Tuesday and briefed Putin on the results of their discussions later that day, the Kremlin said the following day.

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Following Choe's meeting with Putin, the Kremlin said Russia was keen on developing relations further with North Korea in all areas, including "sensitive ones."

Russia's foreign ministry released a statement that Choe and Lavrov discussed bilateral ties, including the implementation of agreements reached at the North Korea-Russia summit in September 2023.

The two also discussed the schedule of "future political contacts," raising speculation over Putin's possible visit to Pyongyang.

During the rare summit between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in eastern Russia, Putin accepted Kim's invitation to visit Pyongyang. Putin last visited North Korea in July 2000. (Yonhap)

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