North Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has committed to providing "unconditional" support to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, as reported by North Korea's state media on Thursday. The announcement comes in the wake of Kim's meeting with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Shoigu, a top security official from Russia, visited North Korea on Wednesday. This visit underscores the increasing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, which has been highlighted by North Korea's decision to send troops to Russia to assist in the war against Ukraine.

During their discussions, Kim assured Shoigu that North Korea would back Russia's stance and foreign policies on significant international issues, including the situation in Ukraine. Furthermore, Kim pledged that North Korea would adhere to the terms of the mutual defense treaty signed between the two nations, which was established by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June of the previous year.

The meeting also resulted in a reaffirmation of the two countries' shared views on the Ukraine conflict and a commitment to enhancing their bilateral relations into a robust strategic partnership. Discussions included potential plans for rebuilding the Kursk front-line region and ways to honor the contributions of North Korean soldiers, as reported by Russia's news agency Tass, citing Russia's Security Council.

The timing of the meeting coincided with the inauguration of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, leading to speculation that the talks may have touched upon inter-Korean relations and other regional issues. Shoigu, who previously served as Russia's defense minister, returned to Russia on Wednesday following his trip to North Korea, as confirmed by the Russian Embassy in the North.

This visit took place just ahead of the first anniversary of the mutual defense treaty signed on June 19 of the previous year, which mandates immediate military support if either nation faces an attack. In April, North Korea publicly acknowledged for the first time that it had dispatched troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.