"Extensive Discussions on North Korea-Russia and International Issues"
North Korea's Choe Son-hui Also Shows Interest in Possible Visit to Russia
Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, met with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, in Pyongyang on the 13th, according to Russia's Sputnik news agency.
The Russian Security Council explained that Secretary Shoigu visited Pyongyang to maintain ongoing strategic dialogue between North Korea and Russia, discussing a broad agenda related to bilateral and international issues with Chairman Kim. Shoigu previously visited North Korea in July last year during his tenure as Russia's Minister of Defense and held talks with Chairman Kim.
Shoigu's recent visit to North Korea took place amid accelerating close ties between the two countries. The Security Council stated in a press release that the meeting was held in a very friendly atmosphere, as it was an agreement between the two leaders during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to North Korea in June. It also said the meeting would make an important contribution to implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by North Korea and Russia in June. Attention is also focused on whether discussions took place regarding Putin's invitation to Chairman Kim to Moscow, which was extended during the Pyongyang summit in June.
The National Intelligence Service is closely monitoring the possibility of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui visiting Russia. The 4th Eurasian Women's Forum, scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, from the 18th to the 20th (local time), is expected to serve as an opportunity. Following her meeting with President Putin in Moscow last January, Foreign Minister Choe may also meet him again at this event.
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