Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, thanking Pyongyang for the support it has provided to Russia during its ongoing war with Ukraine.
The meeting underscores the growing relationship between Russia and North Korea, which has been marked by an increasing number of high-level diplomatic engagements. However, the visit has sparked widespread speculation, particularly in South Korea, where many believe there may be a broader agenda behind it.
Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui’s trip to Russia took place without any publicly announced reason, leading observers to speculate that she may be preparing for a possible visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia.
Choe arrived in Russia on Saturday at the invitation of her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, although the main purpose of the visit has not been disclosed.
Speaking on Monday, Yoon Min Ho, spokesperson for South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, said Seoul is closely monitoring the discussions but declined to comment on reports that Moscow and Pyongyang could be arranging another summit between their leaders.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, President Vladimir Putin praised the strong ties between the two countries during his meeting with Choe on Sunday. He also expressed his appreciation to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the North Korean people for their support of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Minister Choe told Putin that Kim remains committed to further strengthening the comprehensive partnership between Russia and North Korea.
Kim Jong Un visited Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin during summits held in 2019 and 2023. During their meeting in Pyongyang in June 2024, Putin invited Kim to make another official visit to Russia. At that summit, the two leaders signed a comprehensive partnership agreement that includes technical cooperation and mutual defense commitments.
In recent years, Kim has made Russia a top priority in his foreign policy. He has deployed thousands of North Korean troops and supplied large quantities of weapons to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Analysts believe North Korea is seeking economic assistance and advanced technology in return, a partnership that could help strengthen the country’s military capabilities.
Kim has also sought to deepen ties with China. He hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang in June, while continuing to support closer cooperation with Beijing in countering U.S. influence on the global stage.
Choe Son Hui’s visit to Moscow came shortly after a series of high-level exchanges between North Korean and Chinese officials aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
Kim has suspended all dialogue with the United States and South Korea since his nuclear negotiations with then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
