Banquet Marks One Year of North Korea-Russia Treaty... Foreign Minister Choe Sonhui Showcases "Unbreakable Alliance"

On June 19, North Korea held a banquet to mark the first anniversary of the signing of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" (North Korea-Russia Treaty), according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on June 20.

Choe Sonhui, North Korean Foreign Minister. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The banquet, co-hosted by North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, was attended by Kim Jongun, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, his sister Kim Yojong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, and Choe Sonhui, Foreign Minister. On the Russian side, Alexander Matsegora, Russian Ambassador to North Korea, and others were present.

During the banquet, Foreign Minister Choe stated in her speech, "The traditional friendship between our two countries has now firmly risen to the status of an unbreakable alliance and a comrade-in-arms relationship." She continued, "A powerful legal framework has been established that can reliably secure our bilateral relationship even in the face of any challenges and difficulties." She also emphasized, "In line with the spirit of the new inter-state treaty, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) maintains its unwavering position to promote the development of DPRK-Russia relations by working closely with the Russian Federation across various sectors, for the continuous welfare and bright future of both peoples."

In November last year, Foreign Minister Choe visited Russia and held a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora also delivered a speech, stating, "In recent decades, there has never been a time in the history of our two countries when such close and deep mutual understanding and trust existed." He added, "The strength of Russia-North Korea relations has been tested and reinforced in the flames of bloody wars, where the outstanding sons of both nations fought shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy and achieved victory." He further stressed, "Russia will never forget the heroic deeds of the Korean People's Army soldiers, who, just as they defended their own homeland, demonstrated miraculous heroism on the battlefields of Kursk and brought immortal glory to their military banner," highlighting the achievements of North Korean troops dispatched to support Russian forces.