Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin in Moscow. During their encounter, Putin expressed gratitude towards North Korea for its support in his ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This high-level diplomatic meeting indicates strong relations between Russia and North Korea, as reported by Russian state media.
Choe Son Hui’s visit occurs without any clear occasion, such as a major diplomatic event or significant state celebration. This has led to speculations about a potential visit to Russia by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korean media stated that Choe traveled to Russia on Saturday following an invitation by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, though they have not shed light on the visit’s purpose.
Yoon Min Ho, spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, noted that South Korea is closely monitoring these diplomatic interactions. However, there was no confirmation on whether a summit between their leaders is being planned.
Russia’s Tass news agency reported that during the meeting, Putin praised the robust bilateral relations. He reiterated his appreciation to North Korea’s leadership and its people for supporting his military endeavors in Ukraine. Choe mentioned that Kim Jong Un remains dedicated to the development of relations with Russia.
Kim Jong Un visited Russia’s Far East for discussions with Putin in 2019 and 2023. He also received an invitation from Putin to visit Russia again in June 2024. During that summit, the leaders signed an agreement for a strategic partnership, promising mutual support against aggression.
In recent years, Kim Jong Un made strengthening ties with Russia a foreign policy priority, offering substantial support to Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine. Experts suggest this includes military aid in exchange for economic and technological assistance, which is believed to enhance North Korea’s military capabilities.
Additionally, Kim is seeking stronger relations with China, having hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a summit in Pyongyang. This aligns with Kim’s vision of participating in a ‘new Cold War’ and uniting against Washington.
Choe’s visit to Moscow followed recent high-level exchanges between North Korea and China. North Korean Cabinet Premier Pak Thae Song met with Xi in Beijing, while Wang Huning, a member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee, visited Kim in Pyongyang this month.
Since his nuclear diplomacy with former President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019, Kim has halted significant dialogue with the United States and South Korea. Meanwhile, Russia’s war on Ukraine provides him a distraction to further develop North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, while demanding the U.S. abandon its preconditions for North Korea’s nuclear disarmament to resume talks.