Russian Resources Minister visits North Korea amid Pyongyang's new missile developments

(Patria) - A Russian delegation led by Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov is visiting Pyongyang, North Korean state media reported on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Kozlov arrived on Tuesday, when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with UN member states implementing the Korean War armistice in Seoul and said they were concerned that China and Russia were helping North Korea expand its military capabilities by allowing Pyongyang to evade UN sanctions.

Russia and North Korea held talks on economy, science and technology, state media KCNA reported, without further explanation.

Kozlov said at a reception that Russia wants to develop "significant cooperation" with North Korea based on the agreements reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when they met in September in the Russian Far East, KCNA reported.

He also thanked North Korea for providing "full support" to Russia on regional and international issues, the report stated.

North Korean state media also reported on Wednesday that the country had successfully conducted static tests of a "new type of high-thrust solid-fuel engine" for intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM).

"The test provided a sure guarantee for the reliable acceleration of the development of a new type of IRBM system," KCNA stated.

North Korea's General Missile Bureau attached great importance to the new IRBM, saying that recent tests were essential for strengthening the military's strategic offensive capabilities in light of the "difficult and unstable security environment facing the country" and the "malicious" collusion of its enemies, KCNA added.

Washington has accused North Korea of supplying military equipment to Russia for its war in Ukraine, and Moscow of providing technical military support to assist North Korea.

North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, although their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit.