North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a meeting with Russia’s lower house Speaker in Pyongyang. The Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, visited to attend the opening of a memorial museum honoring North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia in its war with Ukraine. During the meeting, Volodin conveyed President Vladimir Putin’s greetings and best wishes to Kim, congratulating him on his reelection as Chairman of the State Affairs Directorate.
Volodin expressed honor in participating in the opening of the Memorial Complex and Museum of the Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation in Pyongyang. He emphasized that the Russian people will always remember the heroism of the North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces. The Duma Speaker also thanked North Korea for its support in liberating Kursk, highlighting the joint efforts in honoring fallen heroes.
The relationship between Kim and Putin was described as crucial for shaping the future, especially in challenging times. Notably, North Korea had deployed approximately 15,000 combat troops to assist Russia in the conflict following a strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and President Putin in June 2024. Russia announced the recapture of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces on April 26 last year, with North Korean troops contributing to the operation.
In a separate development, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov arrived in North Korea for a working visit, where he was welcomed by Army General No Gwang-chol. The visit aimed at meetings with top DPRK leadership and armed forces command in Pyongyang, along with participation in commemorative events.
