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North Korean foreign minister heads to Russia following reports of troop support in Ukraine

Published: 29 Oct. 2024, 10:07

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui delivers a welcome speech during a reception for her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Oct. 18, 2023. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui has departed for Russia for an official visit, the North's state media reported Tuesday, in a visit that comes as the United States said the North sent about 10,000 soldiers to Russia to fight in Ukraine.

The visit by Choe to Russia is expected to include discussions about a potential visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Moscow amid deepening military ties between the two countries.

Choe left Pyongyang International Airport on Monday, the Korean Central News Agency said in a short dispatch. Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu and Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, were present to see Choe off.

There is widespread speculation that Choe's visit may involve talks with Russian officials to arrange a potential visit by Kim to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

North Korea and Russia have been bolstering military and other cooperation, with Kim and Putin holding summit talks in June in Pyongyang. They signed a new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause.

In addition, North Korea has deployed troops to Russia's Kursk region, a front-line area in its conflict with Ukraine, likely to support Russian forces in the near future.

The North Korean foreign minister last visited Russia in September. She also traveled to Moscow in January, where she met with Putin.

Yonhap