Russian defense minister visits North Korea

Andrey Belousov is in Pyongyang to discuss military cooperation with his counterpart, No Kwang-chol

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov is visiting North Korea for talks with his counterpart, No Kwang-chol, focusing on implementing a strategic cooperation agreement that Moscow and Pyongyang sealed this year.

The treaty “is designed to play a stabilizing role in Northeast Asia, to contribute positively to preserving the balance of power in the region, and reduce the risk of war reigniting on the [Korean] peninsula, including with the use of nuclear weapons,” the Russian military official said at the start of the meeting.

The North Korean minister said he appreciated “the energetic exchanges and cooperation between the military departments” of the two nations.