A North Korean media outlet says the country's leader Kim Jong Un stressed the need for Pyongyang and Moscow to strengthen military ties in a meeting with a Russian delegation.

Friday's edition of the ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that Kim met a Russian military delegation in Pyongyang on Thursday. The delegation was led by vice defense minister Aleksey Krivoruchko.

The meeting reportedly confirmed the importance and necessity of the military cooperation between the two countries to defend mutual security interests.

The paper said Kim expressed North Korea's strong support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

It said Kim stressed the need for the two countries' militaries to be united more firmly to lead bilateral relations in a new era to play an important role in defending international justice.

Last month, North Korea and Russia concluded a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that pledges mutual military assistance if either country is placed under a state of war.

North Korea sent a delegation of military education officials to Russia earlier this month.