N. Korea's state security minister visits Russia; meeting with Shoigu expected

This file photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on July 28, 2023, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, meeting with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, left, in Pyongyang the previous day. Yonhap

North Korea's state security minister has left for Russia to attend an international meeting of officials in charge of security affairs, the North's state media reported Tuesday, amid deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

A delegation, led by Minister Ri Chang-dae, departed Pyongyang the previous day to attend the 13th meeting of high representatives handling security issues, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Ri is expected to have talks with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow.

Russia's Security Council said last week Shoigu will hold talks with officials from North Korea, Iran, India and other countries on May 28-29 on the sidelines of the meeting of high representatives responsible for security issues.

The meeting between Ri and Shoigu comes as North Korea acknowledged for the first time in April that it has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Experts said they may use the upcoming talks to discuss North Korean troops' future moves and the issues related to the repatriation of the remains of the North's soldiers killed during combat and prisoners of war.

In a separate dispatch, the KCNA said a Russian government delegation, led by Russia's deputy interior minister, arrived in Pyongyang the previous day.

The delegation was greeted by North Korea's vice public security minister and Russia's top envoy to Pyongyang at the international airport, the report said, without disclosing other details.