Russian-North Korean relations are at a ‘new, strategic’ level, Sergei Lavrov says as he condemns ‘dangerous’ US military policy towards Kim Jong Un

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today slammed US policy towards North Korea at meeting in Pyongyang 
• The veteran envoy’s two-day visit expected to lay groundwork for visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin
• Lavrov hails North Korea’s unambiguous support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed US policy towards North Korea as ‘dangerous’, while touting the ‘new, strategic level’ of relations between Moscow and the nuclear-armed state.

The veteran envoy’s two-day visit, which began on Wednesday, is expected to lay groundwork for a trip to the country by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was invited by leader Kim Jong Un last month at a high-profile summit in Russia’s far east.

Speaking from Pyongyang on Thursday, Lavrov told journalists that ‘like our North Korean friends, we are seriously worried about the intensification of military activity of the United States, Japan and South Korea in the region and by Washington’s policies…

‘We oppose this unconstructive and dangerous line,’ he said, according to Russian news agencies.’

He added that the United States was placing ‘strategic infrastructure, including nuclear elements’, in the region without elaborating.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui during a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea on Thursday

Lavrov slammed US policy towards North Korea as ‘dangerous’, while touting the ‘new, strategic level’ of relations between Moscow and the nuclear-armed state

In the face of a record-breaking series of weapons tests by Pyongyang this year, Seoul has moved to strengthen its security relationship with traditional ally the United States while entering a trilateral defence arrangement that also includes Japan.

Seoul and Washington have staged joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets, while an American nuclear-armed submarine in July made a South Korean port call for the first time in decades.

A B-52 bomber capable of carrying a nuclear payload currently sits at Cheongju airport, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Seoul, marking the first time one has landed in the country since at least 2000.

Local media reports this week said the bomber would take part in a joint aerial drill near the Korean peninsula on Sunday that would involve South Korea, the United States and Japan.

But North Korea’s relationship with Russia has also been tightening, Lavrov said Thursday.

Lavrov told journalists that Russia was seriously worried about the intensification of military activity of the United States, Japan and South Korea in the region and by Washington’s policies

During his meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui on Thursday he reportedly said, ‘after the historic summit between President Putin and Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 13, we can confidently say that the relations have reached a qualitatively new strategic level,’ according to Russia’s state-run Interfax news agency.  

Choe said her meeting with Lavrov ‘will become an important stage in terms of the implementation of the agreements’ reached by Kim and Putin, Russia’s state-run Tass news agency reported. 

It cited Choe as saying that frequent meetings between the two countries’ top diplomats prove that bilateral ties are developing ‘vigorously.’

North Korea’s state media hasn’t reported about the meeting.

Lavrov also told Russian outlets that Moscow is keen to assist North Korea with its energy needs, a constant source of struggle for heavily sanctioned Pyongyang.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui said her meeting with Lavrov ‘will become an important stage in terms of the implementation of the agreements’ reached by Kim and Putin

‘There is geological exploration, there are also plans for the supply of energy resources and other goods that our friends from the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) need,’ Lavrov said. 

Both energy issues would be discussed at a joint meeting slated for November, he said.

Lavrov, who laid wreaths at monuments to former North Korean leaders Kim Sung Il and Kim Jong Il in the morning, arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday night after accompanying Putin on a trip to Beijing.

At a welcome dinner, he praised Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

‘We highly value your principled, unambiguous support for Russia’s actions in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine,’ Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency.

Lavrov laid wreaths at monuments to former North Korean leaders Kim Sung Il and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang

Since last year, the United States has accused North Korea of providing ammunition, artillery shells and rockets to Russia (File photo) 

Kim last month travelled to Russia aboard a specially built bullet-proof train for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, declaring bilateral ties with Moscow his country’s ‘number one priority’.

The two leaders met at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, roughly 8,000 kilometres (4970 miles) from Moscow, a location seen as symbolic given North Korea’s space aspirations.

The September summit fanned Western fears Pyongyang might provide Moscow with weapons for its drawn-out war in Ukraine.

On Friday, the United States said arms shipments were already under way, with North Korea delivering more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks.

A load of containers was shipped by sea from North Korea to Russia between September 1 and October 1, according to a graphic provided by the White House. 

They were then delivered by rail to an ammunition depot about 290 kilometres (180 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters, Pyongyang was seeking a range of military assistance in return, including advanced technologies. 

Moscow this week denounced the allegations, insisting Washington had no proof that weapons were being shipped.  

North Korea has steadfastly denied it shipped arms to Russia, but South Korean officials said North Korean weapons provided to Russia had already been used in Ukraine.

Lim Soosuk, spokesperson of South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, told reporters Thursday that Seoul was closely monitoring Lavrov’s visit to North Korea and said that any cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang should be conducted in a way that complies with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Asked whether Lavrov’s comments stating Russia fully supports Kim’s policies could be interpreted as an acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear weapons status, Lim insisted that the North ‘no matter what it does, will never be recognized as a nuclear power and will face increasing international sanctions.’

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