MOSCOW, Oct 19, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russia's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Thursday, Moscow's foreign ministry said in a statement. 

Lavrov hailed North Korea as a "close neighbour and long-time partner" of Russia in a visit that is expected to pave the way for a possible trip by President Vladimir Putin later this year.