Delegations from the North Korean People's Army General Political Bureau and Russia's Main Military-Political Directorate met in Pyongyang for talks. It is presumed they met to discuss pending issues such as follow-up measures related to the North Korean military's dispatch to Russia and future exchange plans.
On the 7th, the Korean Central News Agency said talks with the Russian delegation from the Main Military-Political Directorate, led by People's Army General Political Bureau Deputy Director Park Yong-il and Director General Viktor Goremykin, the defense Vice Minister, were held in Pyongyang on the 5th.
The paper said the talks "discussed issues to strengthen cooperation, exchanges, and coordination among the military political organs in line with the expanding and deepening bilateral relationship under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries of 'Cho-Ro' (North Korea-Russia)."
The Russian delegation also met a day earlier with Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, Deputy Director Park, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jong-gyu, and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora. The paper said they "had conversations in a friendly atmosphere."
As the war in Ukraine drags on, Russia appears to have sent an official at the vice-ministerial level as a return visit to maintain solidarity with North Korea, a key supporter. This is the first time an official bearing the title of "chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate" has visited North Korea.
Plans for an additional dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia may also have been discussed. The National Intelligence Service said in a report to the National Assembly audit on the 4th that "inside North Korea, signs of training and selection in preparation for an additional dispatch continue to be detected, and we are keeping close watch."
North Korea and Russia have continued exchanges in the military sector following the signing of a treaty on a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in June last year and the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia in October of the same year.