Russia’s foreign minister has warned the U.S., South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is on a visit to North Korea, said Moscow respects and understands why Pyongyang is developing its nuclear program.

Relations between Russia and North Korea have flourished in recent years, with North Korea supplying troops and ammunition to support Russia's war against Ukraine in return for military and economic assistance.

The fishermen’s boats had drifted into South Korean waters, officials said. The South’s new president has been trying to improve ties with North Korea.

The Wonsan Kalma resort was opened in a grand ceremony last month by North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, who hailed it as a "world-class tourist and cultural destination". The details of how this resort was built have been shrouded in secrecy in a country largely closed to the outside world.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said Friday the two Koreas should resolve any inter-Korean issues through dialogue, as North Korea continues to dismantle a reunion facility for separated families inside its Mount Kumgang tourist area.

South Korea on Wednesday repatriated six North Koreans across the maritime border in the East Sea, months after they drifted into southern waters and were rescued.