Pyongyang,November 29 (AseanAll)  — Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met with the Defence Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Army General No Kwang Chol in Pyongyang on November 29,2024,according to Russian Federation Defence Ministry.

The Russian military chief began his speech by congratulating his Korean counterpart on his appointment as the DPRK's Defence Minister.

‘It is a pleasure to meet you personally. I would like to thank you for your invitation to Pyongyang and for your hospitality,’ Andrei Belousov said.

The Russian Defence Minister also stressed that Russia and the DPRK are good neighbours and long-standing friends. A key role in strengthening Russian-Korean relations is played by the trusted contacts between the leaders of Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

‘The results of the historic meeting between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the State Affairs of North Korea Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang last June as well as the mutual desire of our countries to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in a difficult international situation demonstrated the highest level of mutual trust. As well as the mutual desire of our countries to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in a difficult international situation,’ Andrei Belousov stressed.

The most important result of the summit was the signing of a new basic interstate document, the North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

It has a stabilising role to play in the North-East Asia. It also has to make a positive contribution to the maintenance of the balance of forces in the region, reduce the risk of a return to war on the peninsula, including with the use of nuclear weapons, lay the foundations for the construction of a new Eurasian security system.

‘Today, friendly ties between Russia and the DPRK are actively developing in all spheres, including the military cooperation. We are committed to implement all the agreements reached at the highest level. We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean counterparts,’ the Russian Defence Minister added.

Andrei Belousov expressed confidence that ‘today's talks will serve to further strengthen the Russian-Korean strategic partnership in the field of defence’.