SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday for talks with North Korean military and political leaders as the countries deepen their cooperation over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian defence minister Ukraine's use of long-range weapons is the result of direct military intervention by the United States and Moscow is entitled to take action in self-defence,

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol for high-level talks.

South Korea grappled with heavy snowfall for a second day on Thursday, with dozens of flights cancelled, ferry operations suspended and at least four people reported dead in a bitter winter, though conditions showed signs of easing.

At least 11 people were injured in a massive pileup involving 53 cars during heavy snow on a stretch of highway in South Korea's eastern city of Wonju. Meanwhile, the heaviest snowfall in decades fell on the capital,