Russia, NKorea seek to boost ties between armed forces - admiral

PYONGYANG, August 22 (Itar-Tass) - Russia and North Korea are ready to
work on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the military sphere, the
commander of the Eastern Military District, Admiral Konstantin Sidenko,
said on Monday.
Sidenko leads the Russian military delegation that arrived in North
Korea for a working visit earlier on Monday to discuss defence cooperation.
"The main aim of our visit is to strengthen friendly relations between
the armed forces of the two countries," the admiral said upon arrival at
the international airport of Pyongyang.
During the five-day trip the delegation will meet with representatives
of the Korean People's Army, he said without elaborating. The Russian
delegation will visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, sometimes referred to
as the Kim Il-sung Mausoleum, as well as will pay tribute at the
Liberation Monument to the memory of Soviet soldiers who gave their lives
for Korean people's freedom.
The Kumsusan Memorial Palace is located northeast of downtown
Pyongyang. The palace is the former official residence and office of North
Korea's president Kim Il-sung. Following his death in 1994, his son and
successor Kim Jong-il had the building renovated and transformed into his
father's final resting place.