Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, as reported by Russian media on the 21st (local time).
According to the TASS news agency, Secretary Shoigu is expected to meet with Kim Jong-un, the Chairperson of the State Affairs Commission, and senior North Korean officials during his visit. This marks the first time Secretary Shoigu has visited North Korea in six months since September of last year.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, visited Pyongyang in June of last year and signed a 'comprehensive strategic partnership treaty' with Kim Jong-un, the Chairperson of the State Affairs Commission. This treaty has been evaluated as elevating the relationship between the two parties to the level of a military alliance.
In fact, around the time of the treaty ratification in November, North Korea sent 11,000 troops to the Kursk front to assist Russia's war. In particular, there are analyses suggesting that, thanks to the assistance of the North Korean military, Russia has reclaimed a significant portion of Kursk territory recently.
As the two countries continue to solidify their military ties, the possibility arises that Secretary Shoigu, returning to North Korea, will discuss the schedule for a visit to Moscow with Chairperson Kim.