(LEAD) North's defense minister meets Putin in Russia visit
2014/11/09 23:08
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korean Defense Minister Hyon Yong-chol met Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, the North's state media reported Sunday, a move that is seen as bolstering military ties between the two countries.
The Nov. 8 visit was held on the sidelines of Hyon's visit to Russia to celebrate the 90th birthday of former Soviet Union defense minister Dmitry Yazov, according to the North's Korean Central Television.
The state television reported that Hyon sent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's greetings to the Russian president, which was responded with "deep gratitude."
"President Putin and comrade Hyon Yong-chol talked in an amicable atmosphere," the state media said, without elaborating.
The visit is the latest in growing signs of closer ties between North Korea and Russia. The former communist allies recently launched a joint venture to modernize the North's railway network.
Pyongyang's move is viewed as reaching out to Moscow as its ties with Beijing are not as good as before. Seoul has also suspended most of its economic cooperation with Pyongyang.
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