Russia Delivers Putin's Message to Kim Jong-un: "Highest Interest in Agreement Implementation"

Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un is meeting with Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, in Pyongyang, North Korea, in September last year. Photo by Yonhap News

According to local media including TASS on the 21st (local time), Shoigu, who visited North Korea, told Chairman Kim, "President Putin sends his warm greetings and regards. He is deeply committed to implementing the agreements reached with you."

He also stated that Russia will adhere to the strategic partnership agreement signed with North Korea and that this document fully satisfies the interests of both sides. He reported that they discussed the recently resumed dialogues between the United States and Russia, the situation in Ukraine, other regional issues, and especially security matters on the Korean Peninsula. Their meeting reportedly lasted more than two hours.

There is speculation that the issue of North Korean prisoners of war captured by the Ukrainian military may also have been discussed. President Putin and Chairman Kim held a summit in Pyongyang, North Korea, in June last year and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty. This treaty includes a clause that if one side is invaded and enters a state of war, the other side will provide military support, elevating North Korea-Russia relations to an alliance level.

Since President Putin invited Chairman Kim to visit Moscow at that time, it is also possible that Shoigu, a close aide to President Putin, coordinated Chairman Kim's visit schedule to Russia during this visit to North Korea.