Monday, 25 May 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui attend a meeting in Wonsan, North Korea July 12, 2025. Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
Russian and North Korean FMs meet; Pyongyang backs Russia on Ukraine
SEOUL – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his North Korean counterpart on Saturday in the coastal city of Wonsan, where North Korea reaffirmed its unwavering backing of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, according to the TASS state news agency.
Lavrov departed Kuala Lumpur on Friday after the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, arriving later that day in North Korea’s Wonsan—a city known both for its recently opened seaside resort and its naval and missile installations.
His visit marks the latest high-level engagement as Moscow and Pyongyang deepen their strategic partnership, underscored by the recent signing of a mutual defense pact.
“We discussed the situation regarding the Ukraine crisis… Our North Korean colleagues reiterated their steadfast support for all objectives of the special military operation, as well as the actions taken by Russian leadership and the armed forces,” TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.
South Korea’s intelligence agency has suggested North Korea may send additional troops in July or August, building on the deployment of over 10,000 soldiers already dispatched to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
Additionally, North Korea has agreed to send 6,000 military engineers and construction personnel to Russia’s Kursk region, the site of a significant cross-border offensive by Ukrainian forces nearly a year ago.
Russian media outlets noted Lavrov’s arrival in North Korea and reported that, following his stop in Pyongyang, he is scheduled to travel to China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, set for Monday and Tuesday.
According to TASS, the recently launched Wonsan coastal resort has the potential to attract more Russian tourists to North Korea, supported by the restart of direct train service from Moscow to Pyongyang and a planned bridge over the Tumen River, which borders North Korea, China, and Russia.
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told TASS that additional high-level Russian delegations are expected to visit North Korea before the end of the year.