The launch of the spy satellite last week was slammed by Western powers as well as Pyongyang’s neighbours.
South Korean military officials say the launch, directed at the East Sea, appears to be unsuccessful.
The Russian foreign minister’s visit comes as the US fears Russia and North Korea are developing closer military links.
As the war enters its 599th day, these are the main developments.
Leader Kim Jong Un says the constitutional amendment will help North Korea hold a ‘definite edge’ in deterring threats.
North Korean leader continues tour of Russia with visit to airbase where he inspected latest Russian missiles, bombers.
![North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, centre, and Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, inspect Russian military aircraft and missiles put on display at Knevichi aerodrome near Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, on September 16, 2023 [Russian Defence Ministry/handout via Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-16T053237Z_465366379_RC2B93AE5HN5_RTRMADP_3_RUSSIA-NORTHKOREA-1694843339.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
As the war enters its 570th day, these are the main developments.
Russia’s Putin presented North Korea’s Kim with a Russian rifle of the ‘highest quality’ and received a gun in return.
Washington could impose more sanctions, but analysts say penalties are unlikely to halt Moscow-Pyongyang alliance.
The leaders of Russia and North Korea held hours-long talks at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Leaders Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin held a summit at Russia but there have been no confirmations of an arms deal.
China is North Korea’s and Russia’s biggest trade partner and and could restrain a weapons deal.
Biden administration says Vladimir Putin is ‘begging’ Kim Jong Un for weapons due to failures with his Ukraine invasion.
Paramilitary group the Worker-Peasant Red Guards – with 5.7 million members – featured prominently in parade.
