Russian Defence Minister Concludes Two-Day Visit to North Korea
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Seoul, Dec 1 (NationPress) Andrei Belousov, the Defence Minister of Russia, has departed from Pyongyang after a two-day trip, as reported by the North's state media on Sunday. During his visit, he held discussions with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea.
The Russian minister, alongside a delegation from the Russian defence ministry, left Pyongyang via Pyongyang Sunan International Airport the day before, after touring the Liberation Tower and Mangyongdae in the capital earlier that day, according to a report by Yonhap, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Belousov arrived in the North Korean capital on Friday for high-level discussions with North Korean military officials, reflecting the growing military ties between the two nations.
On Friday, he met with Kim Jong-un, who voiced his endorsement for Russia's actions in the Ukraine war.
The KCNA indicated that Belousov and his team visited the Liberation Tower located in Pyongyang's Moranbong district on Saturday, where they laid flowers before leaving the North Korean capital.
This monument was erected in 1946 to commemorate Russian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for North Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule during World War II.
Additionally, the Russian minister visited Mangyongdae, the birthplace of North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, where he inscribed his wishes for 'welfare and peace' for the North Korean people and a 'grand victory' for the nation’s endeavors to become a powerful state, as per KCNA.
North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang-chol and Jong Kyong-thaek, the director of the military's General Political Bureau, were present to see the Russian delegation off at the airport, as stated.
North Korea and Russia have been enhancing their military collaboration under a significant defence treaty signed in June, which stipulates providing military support 'without delay' if either nation is attacked.
North Korea has dispatched thousands of soldiers to assist Russia in its conflict in Ukraine, with both South Korea and the US assessing that some of these troops have already engaged in combat.
Although no specific agreements were disclosed following the Russian delegation's recent visit, it is anticipated that discussions included a possible increase in North Korea's arms transfers or troop deployments to support Russia, along with potential compensations from Russia in return.
