Russia President Vladimir Putin makes rare visit to North Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea early Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported, after he said the two countries want to cooperate closely to overcome U.S.-led sanctions in the face of intensifying confrontations with Washington. Putin was met at Pyongyang's airport by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the news agencies. Putin, making his first trip to North Korea in 24 years, said in comments that appeared in its state media hours before he landed that he appreciates the country's firm support of his military actions in Ukraine. The Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion…