North Korean leader Kim Jong-un holds talks with Russia’s security chief

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu during his visit to the nuclear-armed country, Pyongyang’s state media reported on Saturday.

Shoigu’s trip comes as Moscow seeks ammunition to continue its more than 30-month offensive in Ukraine and as the West accuses Pyongyang of sending arms to Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to North Korea in June and signed a mutual defence pact with the reclusive state.

“There was a wide exchange of views on the issues of steadily deepening the strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to defend the mutual security interests and on the regional and international situation,” North Korean state media said, confirming the meeting.

Kim “affirmed that the DPRK government would further expand cooperation and collaboration” with Russia based on the treaty they signed in June, it added, using the country’s official name.