North Korea, Belarus move closer to visa-free travel deal

North Korea and Belarus are close to signing a visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens, Belarus' state media has reported.

The report by the Belarusian news agency BelTA on Sunday said Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov discussed ways to enhance mutual ties with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son-hui, including the pending deal.

"We will sign it in the very near future," Ryzhenkov was quoted as saying. "We discussed the entire range of bilateral relations, including the upcoming contacts through the foreign ministries and the signing of a number of agreements, including this important agreement on visa-free travel for citizens."

The report said only "some technical details" were left to be worked out.

The move is believed to be a follow-up to the March summit in Pyongyang between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, where they signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation. At that time, Lukashenko was seen receiving an assault rifle as a present from Kim.

In another sign of deepening ties, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a cabinet resolution in April to open a Belarusian Embassy in Pyongyang.

North Korea is believed to be strengthening ties with Belarus, a close ally of Russia, with which Pyongyang signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024. The treaty included a mutual defense clause pledging military assistance if either nation faces armed aggression.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said Monday it is difficult to confirm which countries have visa-waiver agreements for ordinary North Korean citizens, though Pyongyang is known to have such agreements for diplomats and civil servants.

North Korea is believed to have mutual visa-waiver programs with traditional allies, including China, Indonesia and Vietnam. It has reportedly signed a similar agreement with Russia, though details remain unknown.

Yonhap