North Korean foreign minister on official visit to Russia

North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui’s visit to Moscow comes as Pyongyang and Moscow continue to strengthen ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (EPA Images pic)

MOSCOW: The foreign minister of North Korea, which supports Russia’s war against Ukraine, was due in Moscow on Saturday for talks with her counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, the latter’s office said.

The Russian foreign ministry said North Korea’s Choe Son Hui would “arrive in the Russian Federation on July 18 for an official visit” at Lavrov’s invitation.

Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened ties since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The two countries signed a defence agreement when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang in 2024.

North Korea has sent missiles, munitions and thousands of troops to assist Russia in Ukraine, and analysts say Moscow is sending financial aid, military technology, food and energy to the diplomatically isolated country in return.

In April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to help Russia win its “sacred” war.

Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov and several other high-ranking officials visited Pyongyang in April for talks on strengthening military ties.

Belousov said Moscow was ready to sign a cooperation plan for the period 2027-2031.