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SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- Russia's cooperation with North Korea is "expanding" in various areas, including in the military field, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said Friday in a meeting with his North Korean counterpart in Pyongyang.
His remarks came as Russia and North Korea have been deepening military cooperation under a mutual defense treaty signed in June, with more than 10,000 North Korean troops deployed to fight alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine.
"Today, friendly ties between Russia and North Korea are expanding across all areas, including military collaboration," Russia's TASS news agency quoted Belousov as saying in a meeting with North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol in Pyongyang.
The Russian news agency reported the Russian defense chief arrived in North Korea earlier in the day for a number of "high-level" talks with senior military officials and politicians.
"We are committed to implementing all agreements reached at the highest level," Belousov said.
"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Belousov also noted, expressing confidence that their discussion will "further strengthen the Russian-Korean strategic partnership in the defense industry."
During the meeting, the North Korean defense chief stressed that combat friendship and cooperation between their countries' armies are the "top priority," TASS also reported.
"Continuously strengthening and developing (combat friendship and cooperation) is the steadfast position of our army," No said, adding that Belousov's trip would contribute to "strengthening the defense and security capabilities" of the two nations and fostering their cooperation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in Pyongyang in June, which commits the two nations to providing military aid to each other in the event of war.
The visit also follows North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui's trip to Russia a month ago, during which she had a surprise meeting with Putin.
South Korea's intelligence agency assessed that Choe may have had a "very sensitive" discussion with Putin during the meeting, and raised the possibility of Kim traveling to Russia for talks with Putin.
The Russian defense minister is expected to discuss a potential increase in Russia-North Korea military cooperation in connection with Moscow's war against Ukraine.
Some of the North's soldiers have already entered combat in Russia's western Kursk border region, according to the National Intelligence Service, Seoul's spy agency.
Russia has provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and air defense equipment in return for its troop deployment in support of Moscow's war, South Korea's top security adviser said last week.
Experts have raised concerns that the North's close alignment with Russia could allow Pyongyang to bypass international sanctions by securing rewards from Moscow, including the possible transfer of Russia's advanced weapons technology.
The latest North Korea-Russia exchange follows back-to-back visits to North Korea by Russia's natural resources and sports ministers.
hague@yna.co.kr
pbr@yna.co.kr
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