Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met with his North Korean counterpart No Kwang Cho for talks in Pyongyang on Friday, in what Belousov said was an effort to expand military cooperation between the two countries. The Russian defense chief also said that a strategic partnership agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June is aimed at "stabilizing" Northeast Asia. "The agreement aims to reduce the risk of war, including nuclear weapons, and to make a positive contribution to maintaining the balance of power in the region," Belousov said. During his remarks, North Korea's No said that Pyongyang would stand "on the common front with Russian comrades to safeguard international peace and security." Belousov's visit came just days after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met with a Ukrainian delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in the capital, Seoul. Yoon called for the two countries to formulate countermeasures against North Korea's reported deployment of thousands of troops to Russia to support its war effort in Ukraine. The United States and its allies have said North Korea has sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia in recent weeks and that some of those troops were engaging in combat. In recent months, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has prioritized relations with Russia as he tries to break out of isolation and strengthen his international footing, embracing the idea of a "new Cold War". — Euronews
