Russia’s top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, held a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Thursday, as confirmed by the Russian foreign ministry. Lavrov emphasized the strong historical ties between Russia and North Korea during his visit, indicating that his visit might pave the way for a possible trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea later this year.
Lavrov criticized the United States’ policy towards North Korea, describing it as “dangerous.” He also highlighted the “new, strategic level” of relations between Moscow and the nuclear-armed North Korean state. Lavrov’s two-day visit is expected to lay the groundwork for President Putin’s potential visit to North Korea, which was extended as an invitation by Kim Jong Un after a significant summit in Russia’s far east last month.
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Lavrov expressed shared concerns with North Korea about the increased military activity by the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the region. He stated that Russia opposes what it considers an “unconstructive and dangerous line” taken by the United States, which involves the placement of “strategic infrastructure, including nuclear elements,” in the region.
Amid a series of weapons tests conducted by North Korea this year, South Korea has bolstered its security partnership with the United States and entered into a trilateral defense arrangement involving Japan. Joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and U.S. strategic assets have taken place, and an American nuclear-armed submarine made a port call in South Korea for the first time in decades.
Lavrov also highlighted the growing relationship between North Korea and Russia, with ties reaching a “qualitatively new, strategic level” after the recent summit. Russia has expressed its willingness to assist North Korea with its energy needs, an ongoing challenge due to heavy sanctions. Both geological exploration and the supply of energy resources will be discussed in a joint meeting scheduled for November.
Lavrov’s visit included paying respects at monuments to former North Korean leaders Kim Sung Il and Kim Jong Il. He arrived in Pyongyang after accompanying President Putin on a trip to Beijing.
During a welcome dinner, Lavrov praised North Korea’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Kim Jong Un had traveled to Russia in a specially designed bullet-proof train for a summit with Putin in September, highlighting the importance of bilateral ties.
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The September summit raised concerns in the West about potential weapons transfers from North Korea to Russia for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The United States reported that arms shipments were underway, with North Korea delivering over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks. Moscow denied these allegations and demanded proof of such shipments, refuting any involvement in the conflict.
The meeting between Lavrov and Kim Jong Un underlines the complex diplomatic landscape in the region and the ongoing efforts to address security concerns and regional stability.
The meeting between Lavrov and Kim is the highest-level meeting between the two countries since 2018.
It is unclear what specific outcomes came out of the meeting, but it is clear that both Russia and North Korea are seeking to strengthen their ties.
The meeting is also a sign that Russia is continuing to play an active role in regional security issues, despite its ongoing war in Ukraine.
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