Seoul, South Korea — Russia’s foreign minister warned the U.S., South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea as he visited his country's ally for talks on further solidifying their booming military and other cooperation.

Top South Korean, U.S. and Japanese military officers urged North Korea to cease all unlawful activities that threaten regional security, as the three nations flew advanced warplanes for a joint exercise in a show of force against the North.

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.