(LEAD) Putin meets N. Korean FM amid deepening military cooperation

▲ Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui (R) at the Kremlin on Jan. 16, 2024, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Putin-NK FM

(LEAD) Putin meets N. Korean FM amid deepening military cooperation

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 6-7)

MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Yonhap) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui amid deepening military cooperation between the two countries.

Putin met with Choe late Tuesday and was briefed on the results of her talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier in the day, the Kremlin said, without providing further details.

Choe has been on a three-day visit to Russia at Lavrov's invitation.

The trip came amid deepening military cooperation between the two countries, with the North providing Russia with arms for use in its war with Ukraine in exchange for Russia providing technical assistance for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

During his talks with Choe, Lavrov expressed appreciation for Pyongyang's support in what he called Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, while Choe said the North will thoroughly fulfill agreements reached at September's summit between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Later on Wednesday, an official from the Kremlin said Putin and Choe discussed "the situation on the Korean Peninsula" and bilateral relations, according to the Russian news agency Sputnik.

The Kremlin official also commented that North Korea is Russia's "very important partner," and that Moscow is aiming at further developing bilateral ties, "including sensitive areas," the news agency added.

On Monday, the Kremlin said it intends to further develop its partnership with North Korea in all areas, calling the North its "closest neighbor" and "partner."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow hopes for a visit by Putin to North Korea to take place in the "foreseeable future," adding that further coordination, including its timing, will be discussed through diplomatic channels.

North Korean state media has not yet reported on the meeting between Putin and Choe.

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