Pyongyang: North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has reiterated his support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, according to state media on Sunday. The affirmation of support came following a meeting between Kim and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the eastern North Korean port city of Wonsan, as reported by Pyongyang’s state news agency KCNA.

According to Deutsche Welle, Lavrov’s visit to North Korea marks the latest in a series of high-profile meetings as Moscow and Pyongyang continue to strengthen their military and political ties amidst Russia’s ongoing offensive against Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly dispatched thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to assist in repelling Kyiv forces and has also supplied the Russian army with weaponry.

The deepening relationship between the two nations was further highlighted after a visit to North Korea last month by Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia’s Security Council and former defense minister. Shoigu revealed that Kim had consented to send an additional 6,000 military engineers and workers to the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. This agreement underscores the growing military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has confirmed these developments, indicating that North Korea has furnished Russia with over 10 million artillery rounds and missiles. In exchange, North Korea is receiving economic cooperation and military technology from Russia. In June, North Korean state media broadcasted images of Kim honoring flag-draped coffins, believed to contain North Korean soldiers who perished while fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.