Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the “invincible fighting brotherhood” between Russia and North Korea, cautioning the U.S., Japan, and South Korea against creating an antagonistic alliance during a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Wonsan, North Korea, on Saturday, as reported by the Russian foreign ministry. 

Lavrov stated, “We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia,” according to Russia’s state Tass news agency.

In recent years, Russia and North Korea have strengthened their relationship, with North Korea supplying troops and munitions to Russia to support the war in Ukraine and Russia offering military and economic aid to the isolated dictatorship. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin also visited North Korea last year. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Wonsan, North Korea, Saturday.  (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

The U.S., South Korea and Japan have been expanding or restoring their trilateral military exercises in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear program. On Friday, the three countries held a joint air drill involving U.S. nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula, and their top military officers met in Seoul and urged North Korea to cease all unlawful activities that threaten regional security.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui attend a meeting in Wonsan, North Korea, Saturday.  (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

North Korea may deploy more troops this summer, according to South Korean intelligence. 

Lavrov called the meeting a continuation of the countries’ “strategic dialogue” and said he hoped for more direct meetings in the future. 

“We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis. … Our Korean friends confirmed their firm support for all the objectives of the special military operation, as well as for the actions of the Russian leadership and armed forces,” TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.

Lavrov called the meeting a continuation of the countries’ “strategic dialogue” and said he hoped for more direct meetings in the future.  (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said more Russian delegations would visit North Korea later in the year, TASS reported. 

Lavrov is next scheduled to travel to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting early next week.