"Kim and Putin pledge to uphold agreements, strengthening Russia-North Korea ties"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and expressed his commitment to fulfilling the agreements made during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation and build stronger relations, including in areas such as military cooperation, the economy, culture, and advanced science and technology. North Korea and Russia aim to strengthen ties amid perceived hostility from the US-led Western camp. North Korea also criticized the US deployment of strategic assets and joint military exercises, warning that they would be the first targets of destruction if any signs of attack were detected.