ANKARA

The deputy chiefs of North Korea's Public Security Ministry and Russia's Interior Ministry discussed pursuing closer cooperation during talks in Pyongyang, state media reported Thursday.

North Korean Vice Minister of Public Security Ri Song-chol and Russia's Vice Minister of Internal Affairs, Vitaly Shulika, held talks Wednesday in the North Korean capital, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

"During the talks, issues to expand and develop exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' safety agencies were discussed in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship," KCNA said.

The Russian delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Monday.

Shulika and his delegation also met with North Korea's Minister of Public Security Pang Tu-sop on Wednesday, the report said.

The delegation also visited various sites in the capital, including the Juche Tower and the subway system.

*Writing by Aamir Latif