North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to strengthen his country's relations with Russia during talks with Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, in Pyongyang. According to North Korea's Central News Agency today, the two sides discussed deepening strategic dialogue between the countries. The agency quoted Kim Jong Un as saying that North Korea will continue to expand cooperation with Russia in line with the strategic partnership between the two nations. North Korean state media reported that both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation and discussed regional and international situations. Shoigu has chaired Russia's Security Council since stepping down from his role as Defense Minister in May. Recently, North Korea has intensified its bilateral relations with Russia. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to Pyongyang, during which he signed a mutual defense treaty with Kim Jong Un. (QNA) Source: Qatar News Agency