Andrei Belousov has arrived in Pyongyang for talks with military and political leaders, the Russian defence ministry said. It comes after thousands of North Korean troops were dispatched to join Russian forces in combat against Ukraine.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday for talks with North Korean military and political leaders as the countries deepen their alignment over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

North Korea is expanding a weapons plant that manufactures missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, according to new research from a US-based think tank.