North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is greeted by Russian attends a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at a railway station in the town of Artyom outside Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, September 16, 2023. Government of Russia's Primorsky Krai/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
SEOUL, Sept 22 (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed follow-up measures to his recent visit to Russia during the first formal meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's powerful politburo since his return, state media KCNA said on Friday.
Kim returned home from a weeklong trip to Russia last week in which he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to boost military and economic cooperation.
On Wednesday, Kim briefed the party central committee's powerful politburo on his visit, and participants explored ways to "practically and comprehensively" implement its results and "constructive," long-term measures for developing relations with Russia, KCNA said.
"He stressed the need to strengthen close contacts and cooperation among relevant fields of the two countries to expand and develop cooperation in every field in an all-round way," it said.
KCNA also said Kim's trip placed the bilateral ties "on a new strategic level in response to the demand of the new era and brought a radical change in the world geo-political situation".
Seoul and Washington have expressed concern that Russia could be trying to acquire ammunition from North Korea to supplement its thinning stockpiles amid its war in Ukraine, while Pyongyang seeks technological help for its nuclear and missile programs.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a speech to the annual U.N. General Assembly, said on Wednesday that if Russia helped North Korea advance its weapons programs in return for assistance with its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation" and Seoul and its allies would not stand idly by.
Reporting by Hyonhee Shin. Editing by Gerry Doyle
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said China had given an assurance that it would continue to negotiate with Southeast Asian countries over disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea, and avoid actions that risked escalation.
Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.
Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology.
The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs.
The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals.
Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.
Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts.
Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.
All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays.
© 2023 Reuters. All rights reserved