Russia moves closer to North Korea, reveals 'very good' deal package coming soon

Moscow and Pyongyang are discussing a "very good" package of agreements to be signed when Russian President Vladimir Putin visits North Korea.

Nga xích lại gần Triều Tiên, hé lộ 'gói thỏa thuận rất tốt' sắp 'ra lò'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East.

On February 7, TASS news agency quoted Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora expressing confidence in the prospects for developing Russia-North Korea relations in 2024.

Last year, President Putin accepted leader Kim Jong-un’s invitation to visit North Korea. Last month, the Kremlin said the date of the visit had not been set. If it takes place, it would be the first time in nearly a quarter of a century that a Russian leader has visited North Korea.

“There is no discussion yet about the timing of the visit… Preparations are now limited to the joint drafting of documents that will be signed during the visit. I think it will be a very good package,” Ambassador Matsegora said.

According to him, the package of documents is very promising and the relations between the two countries will achieve breakthrough successes this year. Ambassador Matsegora noted the Russia-North Korea summit held at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in September last year.

The diplomat did not disclose any further details of the package, other than an agreement to facilitate travel for citizens of each country, especially Russian tourists, to North Korea. The two countries have repeatedly expressed their intention to soon launch direct flights, as well as resume tourist tours that were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Russia and North Korea are close neighbors and important partners, and intend to promote relations in all areas. In mid-January, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui led a delegation to pay an official visit to Russia.

Previously, in October 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Pyongyang on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received Mr. Lavrov during this visit.

Russia's rapprochement with North Korea after being sanctioned by the West over the conflict in Ukraine in 2022 has drawn warnings from the US and South Korea.

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