00:00North Korea's top diplomat wrapped up talks with Moscow over the weekend
00:04in what analysts see as laying the groundwork for a possible visit by leader Kim Jong-un.
00:09Foreign Minister Cho Sohon Hui met with President Vladimir Putin on Sunday
00:14following her last visit to the country in Oktober.
00:18State-run test news agency reported that Putin had expressed gratitude
00:22for North Korea's aid in the war with Ukraine.
00:24He also acknowledged that Pyongyang had sent its soldiers to take part in Russia's military operations in the Kurs region.
00:31According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, those troops had been awarded Russian state decorations.
00:38Cho, meanwhile, reportedly said Pyongyang would stand by Moscow until victory was achieved in the war.
00:44Citing recent orders from Kim, she described North Korea's comprehensive ties with Russia as a strategic priority for Pyongyang.
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