Overview

• Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit North Korea 'at an early date', according to North Korean state media.
• North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently met with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, where they expressed a 'strong will to further strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation'.
• North Korea has publicly supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and there are allegations of arms cooperation between the two countries.
• Kim Jong Un has recently taken a harder line against South Korea, instructing various sectors to accelerate war preparations.
• Reports suggest that Russia could be a source of technology and expertise for North Korea as it refines its nuclear-capable missile program.