IRIA News

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North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Moscow for high-level talks with Russian officials on July 19, 2026, underscoring the rapidly expanding strategic partnership between the two countries as they deepen political, military, and defense cooperation amid the war in Ukraine.

The visit comes as Moscow and Pyongyang continue implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.

The agreement includes provisions for mutual assistance and has become the foundation for increasingly close military and diplomatic coordination.

Choe traveled to Russia at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to both Russian and North Korean officials. She departed Pyongyang on July 18 aboard her official aircraft, accompanied by a delegation.

Her trip marks her first official visit to Russia since October 2025 and comes amid growing speculation that Kim could make a long-anticipated visit to Moscow later this year.

Putin Thanks North Korea

During the visit, Putin received Choe at the Kremlin alongside Lavrov and presidential foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, using the meeting to publicly acknowledge North Korea’s military assistance to Russia.

“Once again, I want to express my gratitude… for the decision to send fighters of the Korean People’s Army to participate in the liberation of the Kursk region,” Putin said during the meeting.

The Russian president said bilateral relations were developing “in all areas” and asked Choe to convey his greetings to Kim.

“Please convey my greetings and best wishes to the Chairman of State Affairs, Comrade Kim Jong Un. I highly value the mutual understanding we have developed on all issues and the friendly relations between us,” Putin said.

Choe reaffirmed Pyongyang’s continued backing for Moscow’s military campaign. “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue, now and in the future, to steadfastly support all efforts of the Russian Federation aimed at defending its sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity, as well as eliminating the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine,” she said.

She also delivered what she described as a “warm, comradely greeting” from Kim, referring to Putin as the North Korean leader’s “closest and dearest friend.”

Military Cooperation Continues to Expand

The visit reflects the growing military relationship between Russia and North Korea since the signing of the 2024 strategic partnership treaty.

Western, South Korean, and Ukrainian officials have said North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, artillery ammunition, and thousands of troops to support Russian military operations in Ukraine.

Russia, in turn, is widely believed to have provided economic assistance, food, energy supplies, and military technology to the diplomatically isolated country.

In April, Kim pledged to help Russia achieve victory in what he described as its “sacred” war. The same month, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov traveled to Pyongyang with senior military officials for discussions on expanding defense cooperation. Belousov announced that Russia was prepared to sign a bilateral military cooperation plan covering the 2027-2031 period.

Russian officials have also publicly acknowledged the contribution of North Korean forces in helping Russian troops regain territory in the Kursk region following Ukraine’s cross-border offensive.

Possible Kim-Putin Summit

Experts at IRIA believe that Choe’s visit is likely intended to prepare the ground for a summit between Kim and Putin. Putin invited Kim to visit Russia during their meeting in Pyongyang in 2024, but the trip has yet to take place.

The discussions are expected to focus on expanding political, economic, and defense cooperation while coordinating the timing and agenda of a future leaders’ summit.

The visit also comes as Russia continues to face sustained Ukrainian drone attacks and seeks to maintain supplies of artillery ammunition and missiles for ongoing military operations.

Balancing Relations with China

The Moscow visit follows renewed diplomatic engagement between North Korea and China, adding another dimension to Pyongyang’s foreign policy.

Last month, Kim met Chinese President Xi Jinping, followed by several high-level exchanges between Beijing and Pyongyang, including visits by senior North Korean and Chinese officials.

Analysts say Choe is expected to brief Russian officials on recent developments in North Korea-China relations while assuring Moscow that improving ties with Beijing will not weaken the Russia-North Korea partnership.

The developments highlight Pyongyang’s efforts to maintain close strategic relations with both neighboring powers while strengthening trilateral coordination among North Korea, Russia and China.

International Criticism

The expanding partnership has drawn criticism from South Korea, the European Union and Western governments, which argue that military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang contributes to the conflict in Ukraine and violates international sanctions.

North Korea has rejected those accusations, maintaining that its cooperation with Russia is an “exercise of sovereign rights.”

Despite international criticism, diplomatic engagement between the two countries has continued to intensify through regular high-level exchanges, defense consultations, and expanded political coordination.

Choe’s visit to Moscow is the latest indication that Russia and North Korea intend to further institutionalize their strategic partnership, with defense cooperation, diplomatic coordination, and preparations for a possible Kim-Putin summit expected to remain central priorities in the months ahead.