Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 13th. At the invitation of the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrived at Wonsan Golma Airport on the evening of the 11th and began his visit to North Korea. On the 12th, Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, met with Lavrov. On the same day, Lavrov held the second round of Russian-North Korean foreign ministerial strategic dialogue with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
“Long secret talks” with Kim Jong-un
According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Lavrov said at a reception held by the North Korean side on the 12th that he had a “long, frank and confidential conversation” with Kim Jong-un that day. He did not disclose more details.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website released a video of the meeting of about five minutes. The screen shows that Lavrov shook hands and greeted Kim Jong-un after meeting.
Lavrov said: “Chairman Kim Jong-un, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Kim Jong-un said: “You have been actively promoting foreign policy recently. I think it is best to meet you here in Wonsan, not in Pyongyang, because it is a good place to rest. You are the first foreign guest to be received by our resort. I am glad that we meet here.”
Lavrov said: “Our ambassador should be the first. He speaks very highly of this place, and I can’t refuse your invitation.”
Then, the two sides sat down and talked. Lavrov conveyed Russian President Putin’s greetings to Kim Jong-un. He said, “The Korean People’s Army fought side by side with Russian soldiers to liberate the Kursk Oblast of Russia.”
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un and Lavrov had a “cordial and comradely trusting atmosphere” and Kim Jong-un “asked Lavrov to convey his greetings to the respected Comrade Putin.” During the meeting, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora were present.
Talking about bilateral, international, Ukraine…
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un and Lavrov exchanged views on a series of important issues, aiming to faithfully implement the agreements reached at the June 2024 North Korea-Russia Pyongyang Summit. Kim Jong-un said that the two countries have the same views on all strategic issues, which is in line with the “alliance relationship” between the two countries and reflects the “high strategic level” of the relationship between the two countries.
Photos of Kim Jong-un meeting Lavrov released on the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photos of Kim Jong-un meeting Lavrov released on the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-Bilateral relations
The two sides clearly stated that North Korea and Russia must resolutely safeguard the core interests of both sides, vigorously promote the comprehensive expansion and development of bilateral relations, and continuously benefit the people and create a better future.
-International role
Kim Jong-un: I believe that North Korea and Russia will respond to the rapidly changing international geopolitical situation with an active and positive attitude, and the mutually coordinated diplomatic positions of the two countries will make positive contributions to safeguarding regional and world peace and security.
Lavrov: Russia and North Korea will “further strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation and common pace” on the international stage.
— Ukraine issue
Kim Jong-un: DPRK is willing to unconditionally support and solidarize the Russian leadership “for all measures taken to resolve the situation in Ukraine from the root”.
Lavrov answered 11 questions
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry website, Lavrov told Kim Jong-un that the Russian-DPRK foreign ministerial strategic dialogue lasted more than three hours and the discussion was “substantive, focused and fruitful”. The two sides discussed bilateral issues in an all-round way, including preparations for the next meeting of the two governments’ intergovernmental trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation committee scheduled to be held at the end of this year, as well as a wide range of issues related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
KCNA reported on the 13th that the DPRK and Russian foreign ministers discussed in depth the current practical problems in accelerating the comprehensive development of bilateral relations during the dialogue and reiterated the following firm intention: the two sides will faithfully implement the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and develop the DPRK-Russia relations with a long historical foundation and tradition into a “strategic relationship of a century”.
This is a picture of Kim Jong-un meeting Lavrov released by KCNA. Xinhua News Agency/KCNA This is a picture of Kim Jong-un meeting Lavrov released by KCNA. Xinhua News Agency/KCNA
After the dialogue, Lavrov answered 11 questions from reporters on Russian-North Korean relations, including:
- When will the leaders of the two countries meet again?
A: Putin and Kim Jong-un maintain regular contact and exchange information frequently. The timing of the next exchange will be decided by the two leaders. The time and place will be directly agreed upon by them.
- How is the development of Russian-North Korean relations?
A: With the signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and North Korea in June 2024, Russia and North Korea have made positive progress in cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, humanities, etc. The two sides will also restore sea routes and actively promote the development of tourism.
- Will North Korean soldiers contribute to Russia’s recovery of Kursk Oblast and participate in combat in other regions?
A: This was proposed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and the Russian side responded. We have no reason to reject this sincere act of showing solidarity. The DPRK independently decides on the form of implementation of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
——How do you view the Korean Peninsula issue?
A: Both Russia and North Korea believe that the unresolved Korean Peninsula issue has a negative impact on the overall situation in Northeast Asia and the equal and mutually beneficial cooperation among countries in the region. It is “dangerous” for extra-regional forces to try to form a “narrow bloc alliance” in the Asia-Pacific region and promote NATO infrastructure construction.
——How do you view the “coalition of the willing” to form a multinational force to “defend Ukraine”?
A: We have no special interest in this. We will not take seriously or discuss the various fantasies raised by those who seek attention on the international stage.
On the Ukrainian issue, Lavrov also said at the reception held by the DPRK that Russia and North Korea have cooperated closely against the backdrop of Russia’s special military operations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis instigated by the West for many years, “which is a milestone in the relationship between the two countries.” He stressed that the joint efforts made by both sides to resolve the Ukrainian crisis are of global significance. “This battle is for Eurasia not to succumb to NATO’s ambitions.”
