Seoul, Sep 4
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed "long-term" plans for cooperation between the two nations during their talks in Beijing on the sidelines of China's military parade, state media reported on Thursday.
The summit took place hours after Kim and Putin attended China's large-scale military parade the previous day, together with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kim and Putin "discussed in detail the long-term plans for cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed their steadfast will to continue to lead the bilateral relations to a high level," reports Yonhap, quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Calling the bilateral ties "special ones of trust, friendship and alliance," Putin said Russia will "always remember" sacrifices by North Korean troops deployed for Moscow's war with Ukraine, it said.
Kim said the North will "fully" support Russia's efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing his country considers it a "fraternal duty" to provide assistance to Moscow.