North Korea affirms close relations with Russia

Illustration photo: Yonhap

In a commentary marking the 70th anniversary of the North Korea-Russia economic and cultural cooperation agreement, the Rodong Sinmun said the relationship between the two countries “fully conforms to the wishes and interests of both sides.” “The two countries share the common goal of opposing external interference and pressure and protecting their sovereignty,” the newspaper said.

The comments come as Pyongyang steps up diplomacy with Russia after its nuclear talks with the United States stalled following the second summit between Trump and Kim. The newspaper also said the ruling Workers' Party and the North Korean people have a "firm will" to develop relations with Russia "in accordance with the wishes and interests of the two peoples."

Earlier, according to Russia's TASS news agency, on March 19, a group of Russian senators visiting Pyongyang met with North Korean officials to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries. Oleg Melnichenko, head of the Russian delegation, said they met with a deputy minister-level official from North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and discussed economic cooperation projects that could be promoted without violating UN sanctions imposed on North Korea.

Earlier this month, three senior North Korean officials visited Russia. Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il held talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Morgulov in Moscow, while Foreign Economic Affairs Minister Kim Yong-jae met with Russian Far East Development Minister Alexander Kozlov to discuss trade and economic cooperation. Han Man-hyok, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, also visited Russia earlier this month to attend a photo exhibition held to mark the 70th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's state visit to Moscow.