Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko began his first visit to North Korea this Wednesday, March 25, for talks to consolidate ties between two close allies of Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Lukashenko was welcomed with a red carpet in Pyongyang, where he was greeted by Kim’s foreign minister and dozens of children waving flags from both countries.
Later, the President of Belarus met with Kim Jong-un. Lukashenko also paid his respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a mausoleum where the preserved bodies of former rulers Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il – grandfather and father of the current leader – are on display.
Lukashenko’s trip to North Korea comes just six days after he met with Trump’s envoy, John Coale, and announced the release of another 250 detainees. The American side stated that Lukashenko could visit the White House soon.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un demonstrated his “unwavering will” to support Russia, in a letter of thanks addressed to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, according to North Korea’s official news agency this Wednesday.
“Pyongyang will always be by Moscow’s side. It is our choice and our unshakable will,” Kim declared in the letter sent on Tuesday.
The two countries signed a mutual defense agreement in 2024, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and Pyongyang sent ground troops and weapons systems to support Moscow.
The isolated, impoverished and very vulnerable country to natural disasters receives financial aid, food and energy, as well as military technologies in return, according to analysts.
“Currently, the DPRK [República Popular Democrática da Coreia] and Russia cooperate closely to defend the sovereignty of both countries,” Kim said, referring to North Korea by its official country name.
South Korean and Western intelligence services estimate that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, mainly to the Kursk region, as well as grenades, missiles and long-range rocket systems.
According to Seoul, at least two thousand North Korean soldiers were killed and thousands of others were injured during this conflict.
In the letter, Kim Jong-un also thanked the Kremlin, which congratulated him on his reelection, on Sunday, to the presidency of State Affairs, the highest position of power in North Korea.
“I express my sincere thanks for sending me your warm and sincere congratulations on the occasion of my resumption of the heavy responsibilities of President of State Affairs”, he declared.
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