North Korea’s defense chief has expressed “full support” for Russia’s efforts to defend its territory and sovereignty, underscoring the two countries’ increasing military cooperation and the historical bond between their peoples.

Defense minister No Kwang Chol’s comments came at a ceremony in Moscow on Wednesday, where he and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov unveiled a statue honoring Korean partisans who fought alongside Soviet forces during World War II, Russia’s defense ministry reported.