North Korean state media says Kim Jong Un discussed arms cooperation with Russian Defence Minister

Kim Jong Un visits Russia, meets with Defense Minister Shoigu to discuss strengthening military coordination. Seen advanced weapons systems, warship, discussed regional security environment, exchanged views on practical issues, inspected North Korean weapons systems, watched ballet performance. Potential military cooperation includes modernizing air force, strengthening navy, joint naval exercises.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held discussions with Russia’s Defence Minister on strengthening “strategic and tactical coordination” between the countries’ militaries, the North's state media said Sunday, as Kim continued a visit to Russia’s Far East that has raised concerns about an arms alliance that would fuel Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

The talks with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu came after Mr. Kim on Friday was shown some of Russia’s most advanced weapons systems deployed for its war on Ukraine, including nuclear-capable bombers and hypersonic missiles, and a key warship of its Pacific fleet, the Korean Central News Agency said.

Mr. Kim’s trip, highlighted by a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, has underscored how their interests are aligning in the face of separate, intensifying confrontations with the West. U.S. and South Korean officials have said North Korea could provide badly needed munitions for Putin’s war on Ukraine in exchange for sophisticated Russian weapons technology that would advance Mr. Kim’s nuclear ambitions.

Also read: North Korea’s Kim views Russian nuclear-capable bombers, hypersonic missiles

While his predominant focus is on military cooperation, Mr. Kim also appears to be using his trip to encourage broader exchanges between the countries as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation.

The governor of Russia’s Primorye region, which includes Vladivostok, said he plans to meet with Mr. Kim on Sunday. Gov. Oleg Kozhemyako said on his messaging app channel they would discuss exchange programs for schoolchildren to attend summer camps in one another's country and other ways to cooperate in sports, tourism and culture. Russian media said Mr. Kim may also visit food industry businesses in Primorye.

A day after visiting an aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur that produces Russia’s most powerful fighter jets, Mr. Kim on Saturday traveled to an airport near the port city of Vladivostok, where Shoigu and other senior military officials gave him an up-close look at Russia’s strategic bombers and other warplanes.