North Korea and Russia have convened another meeting amid growing international concern over their potential arms cooperation deal.
According to Reuters, the Kremlin stated on Monday that Russia was cultivating relations with "our partner" North Korea. This announcement coincided with the arrival of a delegation led by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow on Sunday. The delegation is scheduled to engage in talks from Monday through Wednesday, as reported by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that Choe had a meeting with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Choe's visit would involve discussions regarding the agreements established between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their meeting at Russia's Vostochny satellite launch center last year.
Choe's visit to Russia was extended at the invitation of Lavrov, according to the foreign ministry.
South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesperson, Koo Byoungsam, expressed close monitoring of Choe's visit and any potential agreements or shifts in relations. The spokesperson accused North Korea and Russia of engaging in "illegal cooperation activities, including arms exchanges," following Kim's visit to Russia in September, during which he met with Putin.
The United States and South Korea have officially alleged that North Korea is supplying Russia with weaponry, including artillery and missiles, to replenish Russia's depleted supplies due to its conflict in Ukraine. In return, North Korea purportedly receives technological and military insights.
The Biden administration claims to possess evidence that missiles utilized by Russia in Ukraine were provided by North Korea.
In a joint statement issued last week, the U.S., South Korea, and their partners condemned the alleged partnership, asserting that the missiles support Russia's war efforts.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied engaging in arms transfers.
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