Russia's Chief Spy Meets North Korean Security Minister, SVR: Ensure Regional Security

Russia's Intelligence Chief Sergey Naryshkin. (Wikimedia Commons/men's

JAKARTA - The Russian spy agency reported that the head of the agency traveled to North Korea this week to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries to discuss regional security.

Head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency (SVR), the successor to the KGB, Sergei Naryshkin visited Pyongyang on March 25-27, the agency said Thursday, as well as a KCNA state media report.

In Pyongyang, Naryshkin held a meeting with North Korean State Security Minister Ri Chang Dae.

"They discussed topical issues about the development of the international situation, ensured regional security, deepened cooperation between Russia-North Korea in the face of efforts to increase pressure from external powers," SVR said.

Meanwhile, KCNA said the two sides discussed increasing further cooperation to deal with spying, until the enemy's power plan continued to increase.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to have deepened ties with North Korea since the Ukrainian invasion in 2022. Moscow says it will develop relations with any country it wants, while its cooperation with Pyongyang does not conflict with international agreements.

The meeting came as Pyongyang attempted to expand its diplomatic involvement after the lockdown due to COVID-19.

Earlier, a North Korean delegation led by Kim Song Nam, director of the international department of the ruling Korean Workers' Party in North Korea visited Vietnam to meet with permanent members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam with Truong Thi Mai on Tuesday. The two discussed strengthening cooperation and increasing relations, according to KCNA.