North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui departed Pyongyang for Russia on July 18, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on July 19.
Choe's unexpected visit, at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has led to speculation that Kim Jong Un's planned trip to Moscow later this year may be taking shape.
The report stated that Choe left from Pyongyang International Airport aboard a private jet, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jong-kyu and Vladimir Topeha, the acting ambassador of the Russian Embassy in North Korea.
The specific purpose and detailed schedule of Choe's visit were not disclosed.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on the same day that Choe would arrive in Russia on July 18 (local time) for an 'official visit,' without providing further details.
This marks Choe's first visit to Russia in about nine months, following her official trip from October 26 to 28 last year, which was less formal and included her participation in a Eurasian security conference in Minsk, Belarus.
Given that there are no significant diplomatic events or anniversaries prompting this visit, speculation arises that it may serve as a 'preparatory coordination' for Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously requested a reciprocal visit from Kim during their meeting at the September 2022 Victory Day parade in China, and the possibility of Kim's visit to Russia has been a topic of ongoing discussion.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for a state visit and held a summit with Kim Jong Un, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the North Korea-China Friendship Treaty on July 11, during which high-level officials from both countries visited each other.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, predicted that Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia this year would focus on solidifying North Korea-Russia relations.
He added, "Following the normalization of North Korea-China relations, North Korea has been receiving simultaneous overtures from both China and Russia, enhancing its strategic position as a key player in the North Korea-China-Russia alliance in response to the U.S.-South Korea-Japan bloc."
Choe's unexpected visit, at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has led to speculation that Kim Jong Un's planned trip to Moscow later this year may be taking shape.
The report stated that Choe left from Pyongyang International Airport aboard a private jet, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jong-kyu and Vladimir Topeha, the acting ambassador of the Russian Embassy in North Korea.
The specific purpose and detailed schedule of Choe's visit were not disclosed.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on the same day that Choe would arrive in Russia on July 18 (local time) for an 'official visit,' without providing further details.
This marks Choe's first visit to Russia in about nine months, following her official trip from October 26 to 28 last year, which was less formal and included her participation in a Eurasian security conference in Minsk, Belarus.
Given that there are no significant diplomatic events or anniversaries prompting this visit, speculation arises that it may serve as a 'preparatory coordination' for Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously requested a reciprocal visit from Kim during their meeting at the September 2022 Victory Day parade in China, and the possibility of Kim's visit to Russia has been a topic of ongoing discussion.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for a state visit and held a summit with Kim Jong Un, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the North Korea-China Friendship Treaty on July 11, during which high-level officials from both countries visited each other.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, predicted that Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia this year would focus on solidifying North Korea-Russia relations.
He added, "Following the normalization of North Korea-China relations, North Korea has been receiving simultaneous overtures from both China and Russia, enhancing its strategic position as a key player in the North Korea-China-Russia alliance in response to the U.S.-South Korea-Japan bloc."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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