Russia, North Korea agree to join hands against ‘imperialists’ military threat’

By Anadolu staff

Russia and North Korea have agreed to further strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation and join hands against “imperialists' military threat,” Pyongyang’s state-run media reported on Thursday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday and discussed issues and immediate cooperation matters “arising in defending the sovereignty and development and interests of the two countries,” according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Kim, who arrived in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on a two-day visit on Tuesday aboard his special armored train, met with Putin after four years.

Putin also accepted the invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Pyongyang, according to the news agency.

During his stay in Russia, Kim, along with Putin, also visited Vostochny Spaceport, where he was briefed on the technical features of Soyuz-2, Angara and other type carrier rockets and their assembling and launching processes.

Kim was also accompanied by his defense minister and other top military commanders during the visit.

On Wednesday, Putin said his meeting with Kim was "productive," describing it as "a frank exchange of views" on the situation in the region and bilateral relations.

He said Russia and North Korea have opportunities to develop military cooperation, despite UN sanctions.

"There are certain restrictions. Russia complies with all these restrictions. But there are things that we can talk about. And here, too, there are prospects. Under the current rules, we also have opportunities, which we see and discuss," he said during his interview with state-run Rossiya-1 TV channel.