MOSCOW: The foreign ministers of Russia and North Korea, Sergei Lavrov and Choe Son Hui, met in Moscow on Tuesday, highlighting the deepening ties between their nations. The meeting comes amid Western accusations of collaboration between the two authoritarian countries, particularly in supporting Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
During the talks, Lavrov expressed continuous support for North Korea at the United Nations and acknowledged their shared stance on various issues, including Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Lavrov’s opening remarks emphasized the alignment of their positions, while Choe, speaking through a translator, described the meeting as evidence that bilateral ties were “developing in accordance with the plans of the two countries’ leaders.” She hailed progress on implementing agreements inked during Kim’s visit to eastern Russia last September.
“The fact that now the foreign ministers of the two countries often meet and deepen comradely ties is yet more proof that the Korean-Russian friendly relations, with a long history of friendship and tradition, are energetically moving forward in accordance with the plans of the leaders,” Choe said.
Lavrov said they would discuss the broader situation on the Korean peninsula, and cautioned the United States that threats from Washington would achieve little.
Collaboration Between Russia and North Korea
Choe and Lavrov discussed the agreements reached during a high-profile visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia last year. Lavrov emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to review these agreements.
The Kremlin announced that the ministers would brief Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcomes of their discussions. Putin has received an invitation to visit North Korea, but a date for the visit has not been confirmed.
The United States recently claimed that Russia, facing weapon shortages nearly two years into the conflict in Ukraine, had utilized missiles from North Korea in its military actions. Both countries have been under scrutiny for their alleged collaboration, with accusations of North Korea supplying Russian forces with large stockpiles of artillery shells.
Putin has deepened ties with North Korea since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the United States and its allies have condemned what they say have been significant North Korean missile deliveries to Russia to help its war effort.
Both Russia and North Korea have repeatedly dismissed the criticism. Moscow says it will develop ties with whatever countries it wants and that its cooperation with Pyongyang does not contravene international agreements.
