Lavrov: Russia "Understands" North Korea's Nuclear Program

Russia's Foreign Minister is on an official visit to North Korea. Kim Jong Un received Sergey Lavrov, who is in the DPRK, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

Lavrov is in the DPRK as part of the second round of the Russian-Korean strategic dialogue, which began on July 12. He noted that future contacts between the leaders of Russia and North Korea are also planned. The time and place of the meetings will be agreed upon separately.

During his official visit to North Korea, the Russian Foreign Minister stated that Moscow understands the motives that compelled the DPRK to implement its nuclear program. According to Lavrov, the DPRK leadership drew the appropriate conclusions long before the Israeli-American strikes on Iranian territory.

It was Pyongyang's timely decisions, the minister noted, that became the reason why no one considers the possibility of using force against the DPRK, despite the ongoing military build-up in the region involving the US, South Korea, and Japan, the top Russian diplomat stated.