Russia's spy chief visited Pyongyang earlier this week to discuss security cooperation, North Korea's state news agency reported Thursday, as the historical allies deepen ties amid Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, met with North Korea's State Security Minister Ri Chang Dae during his visit between Monday and Wednesday.
The officials discussed boosting cooperation "to cope with the ever-growing spying and plotting moves by the hostile forces," KCNA reported.
Russia and North Korea are both under a raft of global sanctions — Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, and Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons testing.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a summit in Russia's Far East, during which Kim declared that relations with Moscow were his country's "number one priority."
The United States subsequently claimed Pyongyang had begun supplying Russia with weapons.
And earlier this month, South Korea asserted that Pyongyang had shipped around 7,000 containers of arms to Russia for its war with Ukraine.
Washington and analysts have said Pyongyang was seeking a range of military assistance in return, such as satellite technology and upgrading its Soviet-era military equipment.
"The two sides reached a complete consensus of views on the issues on the table at the two talks that proceeded in a comradely and amicable atmosphere," the KCNA report said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
