China praised North Korea’s resilience in the face of US pressure and pledged deeper cooperation during a visit by foreign minister Wang Yi.
A South Korean lawmaker, Lee Seong-kwen, on Thursday told reporters that Ju Ae was now entering a stage to be trained as “successor designation.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has held a security meeting following what Pyongyang says were incursions by South Korean drones across the border.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that North Korea had sent soldiers as well as weapons to support Russia in its fight against neighbouring Ukraine.
The launcher, tested on Tuesday, had been “technically updated in its manoeuvrability and concentrated firing capability,” state news agency KCNA said.
The last time Mr Putin was in North Korea was in 2000, when he was received by Mr Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il.
North Korea could supply artillery ammunition and missiles for Russia’s war against Ukraine, experts have said.
Mr Kim extended the invitation at the end of a reception on Wednesday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East.
According to officials, Mr Kim is also seeking food aid for his impoverished nation.
Mr Kim revealed that “the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1” had already been developed and directed officials to expedite preparations for its launch.
