North Korea reaffirmed its support for Moscow's war on Ukraine as the two foreign ministers held talks in Moscow, Pyongyang's state media reported Tuesday.
Choe Son Hui and Sergey Lavrov held a "third strategic dialogue" on Monday, at a time when the partnership between the two countries is "vigorously developing," said a press statement published by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"The DPRK side expressed invariable support for all the internal and external policies of the Russian Federation to eliminate the root cause of the Ukrainian dispute and defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and international justice," the statement said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met the visiting diplomat on Sunday to thank North Korea for its support, which has included soldiers.
"I would like once again to express my gratitude for the support provided to the special military operation we are conducting," Putin said, according to a video released by the Kremlin.
"We will never forget" the "heroic deeds" of North Korean soldiers, who would be "honoured in the same way as our compatriots", he added.
North Korea has sent troops to Russia's Kursk region and supplied weapons systems to support Moscow's war effort.
In return, analysts say the impoverished and isolated country has received financial assistance, food, energy supplies and military technology from Moscow.
During a visit to Pyongyang by senior Russian officials in late April, Kim reaffirmed his support for Russia and pledged to help Moscow achieve victory in what he called its "sacred war".
