'Bangbuk' Russian Defense Minister "Rapid Expansion of Military Cooperation with North Korea"

First Meeting Between Russian Defense Minister Belousov and North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol
"The Goal of the North Korea-Russia Treaty Is to Reduce the Risk of War"

Andrey Belousov, Russian Minister of Defense, who visited North Korea, emphasized that "military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is rapidly expanding."

On the 29th, at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport in North Korea, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov was greeted by North Korean Minister of Defense No Kwang-chol.
[Photo by Russian Ministry of Defense] TASS Yonhap News

On the 29th, TASS and RIA Novosti reported that Minister Belousov made this statement during a meeting with No Kwang-chol, North Korean Minister of Defense. Minister Belousov held his first meeting with Minister No after arriving in Pyongyang, North Korea, that day.

At the meeting, he said, "Today's meeting will play a role in further strengthening the strategic partnership in the military field between Russia and North Korea," adding, "We are determined to implement all agreements reached at the highest level."

Earlier, Minister Belousov referred to the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" (the North Korea-Russia Treaty) signed in Pyongyang in June by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, emphasizing, "This aims to reduce the risk of war in Northeast Asia."

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Minister Belousov plans to hold several bilateral meetings with local military and political leaders during his visit to North Korea.

Meanwhile, Minister Belousov's visit comes amid controversy over North Korea dispatching a large number of troops to Russia, and it is expected that additional cooperation measures between North Korea and Russia related to Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine will be discussed.