UPDATE - Russia's security chief discusses Ukraine, Korean Peninsula issues with Kim in Pyongyang

ADDS MEETING BETWEEN SHOYGU, KIM, CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang to discuss the Ukraine war and security issues involving the Korean Peninsula, the Russian Embassy in North Korea said Wednesday.​​​​​​​

The embassy said the two sides discussed cooperation in various fields and exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis and the peninsula.

"During the conversation, which took place in an atmosphere of friendly mutual understanding, issues of cooperation in various areas were discussed, and an exchange of opinions took place on the situation around the Ukrainian crisis and on the Korean Peninsula," it said.

Shoygu flew home later in the day.

His visit came just one week after North Korea's State Security Minister Ri Chang-dae met him in Moscow.

The visit comes amid rumors that Kim might travel to Russia for a summit with Putin to mark the first anniversary of their mutual defense treaty last June, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The agreement has since resulted in North Korea deploying thousands of troops to support Russia in its war with Ukraine.

*Writing by Aamir Latif