Diplomacy & Geopolitics
North Korean foreign minister travels to Russia for Lavrov talks
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui has flown to Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, North Korean state media reported. The Korean Central News Agency said Choe and her party left Pyongyang for Russia on July 18 aboard what it described as her personal plane.
Russia's foreign ministry had earlier announced the official visit by the envoy from North Korea, an ally of Moscow and strong supporter of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea signed a defence agreement when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang in 2024. North Korea has sent missiles, munitions and thousands of troops to help Russia in Ukraine, while analysts say Moscow is providing financial aid, military technology, food and energy to North Korea in return.
In April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to help Russia win what he called its "sacred" war. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and other senior officials also visited Pyongyang in April for talks on strengthening military ties. Belousov said Moscow was ready to sign a cooperation plan for 2027 to 2031.
South Korea and the European Union have condemned the partnership between Russia and North Korea. North Korea's foreign ministry has rejected the criticism, saying cooperation with Russia is an exercise of sovereign rights.
Update
North Korean state media reported that Choe Son Hui and her party left Pyongyang for Russia on July 18.
KCNA said Choe travelled aboard her personal plane.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 21:55:11 UTC.
Update
Russia's foreign ministry said Choe Son Hui would arrive in Russia on July 18 for an official visit at Sergey Lavrov's invitation.
The source says North Korea has sent missiles, munitions and thousands of troops to assist Russia in Ukraine.
Analysts say Moscow is sending financial aid, military technology, food and energy to North Korea in return.
Kim Jong Un pledged in April to help Russia win what he called its "sacred" war.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and other senior officials visited Pyongyang in April for talks on strengthening military ties.
Belousov said Moscow was ready to sign a cooperation plan for 2027-2031.
South Korea and the European Union have condemned the partnership between Russia and North Korea.
North Korea's foreign ministry said cooperation with Russia is an exercise of sovereign rights.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 09:29:46 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .