North Korea has welcomed Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu, rolling out the red carpet for the senior official upon his arrival to the country’s capital Pyongyang.
The visit is an important event for both sides, observers say, with Russia keen to establish more secure sources of ammunition for Ukraine, while North Korea wants to regain the confidence of its old ally after a recent period of frosty relations.
According to a translated report published by the Russian TASS media service, the visit represents the first time a Russian defence minister has visited North Korea since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The visit is reportedly being held to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice that effectively ended the Korean war, with the so-called “Hermit Kingdom” also hosting representatives from fellow Communist nation China to commemorate the occasion.
Shoigu was reportedly greeted upon arrival in the city by his North Korean counterpart Kang Sun-nam, with the Russian minister praising the warm reception given by the “friendly state”.
“From the very first minute, I felt your care and attention,” Shoigu said.
“I hope we will manage not only to work actively, but also to learn a lot of interesting things about North Korea, your culture and traditions, and see the sights.”
Talks between both sides are also said to have proceeded smoothly, with Shoigu expressing the hope that the dialogue would contribute to “strengthening cooperation” militarily between the two countries.
One North Korean press commentator said that the Communist nation stood in “full support for the Russian army and people”, describing the country as “struggling to defend the sovereign rights and development and interests of their country from the imperialists’ high-handed and arbitrary practices”.
It went on to praise Russia in fighting for the realisation of “international justice”.
