Reuters reported on September 25 that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea responded to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's criticism of Pyongyang's cooperation with Moscow, after leader Kim Jong-un visited Russia.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly last week, Mr Yoon said that if Russia helped North Korea strengthen its weapons programmes in return for supporting the campaign in Ukraine, it would be a “direct provocation”.

In an editorial published on the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang responded to criticism of its cooperation with Moscow.

"It is natural and normal for neighboring countries to maintain close relations with each other, and there is no reason to blame it," the article said.

Mr Kim returned home last week after a week-long visit to Russia, where he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to boost military and economic cooperation.

"The DPRK's foreign policy... will not be bound by anything, and the friendly and cooperative relations with close neighbors will continue to grow stronger," the article said.

US and South Korean officials have expressed concern that Russia may be trying to buy ammunition from North Korea to replenish its depleted stockpiles for the war in Ukraine, while Pyongyang seeks technological assistance for its nuclear and missile programs.

Any support for North Korea's weapons programs is prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions.