Putin Plans to Visit North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his intention to visit North Korea in the near future, NHK reported on the 21st.

NHK quoted North Korea’s party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on the same day, reporting that “President Putin expressed his gratitude for Chairman Kim Jong Un’s invitation to visit North Korea and indicated his willingness to do so shortly.”

If President Putin’s visit to North Korea is realized, it will mark the first time in twenty-four years since the Pyongyang Summit with Kim Jong Il on July 19, 2000.

North Korea responded by emphasizing that it is ready to warmly welcome its closest ally, NHK reported.

President Putin also met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choi Sun-hee in Russia last week, where they exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and expressed concerns that “provocative actions by the United States and its allies are hurting regional peace.” They agreed to closely cooperate.

Foreign Minister Choi visited Russia for three days, from the 15th to the 17th, and held talks with President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the visit to Russia, North Korea is known to have discussed strengthening strategic and tactical cooperation between the two countries.

The Kremlin in Russia had earlier stated that no exact date has not yet been set for President Putin’s visit to North Korea, but coordination is underway through diplomatic channels.

By. Hyo Jin Kim