North Korea leader Kim: Russia has right to exercise self defence against Ukraine

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian defence minister Ukraine's use of long-range weapons is the result of direct military intervention by the US and Moscow is entitled to take action in self-defence, state media said on Saturday (Nov 30).

Kim met Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on Friday and said "the US and the West made Kyiv authorities attack Russia's territory with their own long-range strike weapons" and Russia should take action to make "hostile forces pay the price," KCNA news agency said.

Kim pledged to expand ties with Russia in all areas including military affairs under the comprehensive strategic partnership he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, which includes a mutual defence agreement, KCNA said.

KCNA made no mention of whether Kim and Belousov discussed North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia.

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