News - Middle East: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met a Russian military delegation to discuss bilateral cooperation, a month after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the country.

On Thursday, Kim met with Vice Defence Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko in Pyongyang to emphasize the need for strengthening military cooperation between their two countries to safeguard global peace and justice, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The meeting underscored the significance of military collaboration to protect shared security interests.

“The talk shared recognition of the importance and necessity of the military cooperation between the two countries to defend mutual security interests,” the state media reported.

Kim highlighted the need for the countries' armies to "get united more firmly to dynamically lead the DPRK-Russia relations in the new era and play an important part in defending regional and global peace," according to KCNA.

He also reassured the Russian military delegation of Pyongyang's steadfast support as ties with Moscow continue to strengthen.

Krivoruchko conveyed regards from Putin to Kim, who expressed profound gratitude during the meeting. This visit follows Putin's historic visit to Pyongyang on June 19, during which the two countries signed a mutual defense agreement.