Russia "Developing Comprehensive Cooperation with North Korea... Putin Hopes to Visit Pyongyang"

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia [Image source=Yonhap News]

Russia has expressed its intention to develop an all-around cooperative relationship with North Korea. It also expressed hope for President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, stated at a briefing on the 15th (local time), "North Korea is our neighbor, our closest neighbor, and a partner with whom we want to further develop partnership in all fields."

This is interpreted as a willingness to further strengthen cooperation with North Korea in line with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui's official visit to Russia.

The North Korean delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe is officially visiting Russia for a 2-night, 3-day schedule from today until the 17th.

The Kremlin added, "Dialogue with North Korea will continue at all levels."

Foreign Minister Choe is scheduled to hold a foreign ministers' meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 16th.

There is also a possibility of a meeting with President Putin. Spokesperson Peskov said that a meeting between President Putin and Foreign Minister Choe is not ruled out.

Peskov explained that the Russian and North Korean delegations will discuss the agreements from the North Korea-Russia summit held last September at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, saying, "We expect productive and intensive negotiations."

President Putin's visit to North Korea is also being coordinated. Peskov said, "We hope President Putin's visit to North Korea will take place soon, and the specific schedule will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels."