North Korea's Kim stresses 'strategic importance' of Russia ties ahead of Putin summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Khasan, Russia, September 12, 2023, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on September 13, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said his visit to Russia shows the "strategic importance" of the two countries' ties, state news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday ahead of an expected summit with President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting, which could be as early as Wednesday, is being watched apprehensively by Washington and allies, who suspect the two leaders will discuss military cooperation and could agree on a deal to trade arms and defence technology.