Russia-North Korea talks gained momentum on Wednesday as top Russian official Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang for high-level discussions. Shoigu landed shortly after Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s new president. The meeting signals Russia’s intention to deepen military coordination with North Korea during a period of shifting regional dynamics.
Russia’s state media reported that Shoigu will discuss several provisions of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. These include honoring North Korean fighters who allegedly fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Shoigu serves as the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council and arrived in Pyongyang on instructions from President Vladimir Putin. According to reports, the Russia-North Korea talks will also cover developments in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Upon arrival, Shoigu received a ceremonial welcome at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport. Pak Jong Chon, a top military official and party secretary, greeted him alongside a unit of honor guards. Russian agency TASS published footage of the event, reflecting the symbolic significance of the visit. Russia-North Korea talks have become more frequent in recent months, suggesting a shift in Moscow’s Asia strategy.
Shoigu’s recent remarks praised DPRK soldiers for allegedly defending Russian soil as their own. He made this statement during a meeting in Moscow with North Korea’s secret police chief. The Russian ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, even proposed building monuments in Kursk to honor these soldiers. He also suggested renaming landmarks after them, deepening symbolic cooperation.
Experts believe Putin faces difficult choices. Chris Monday, a Russia specialist at Dongseo University, noted Putin’s dilemma. He wants to respond strongly to Ukraine’s drone attacks but must also consider his diplomatic standing with U.S. President Donald Trump. Monday said the Kremlin intends to show that the West has overstepped by supporting stronger military ties with Pyongyang.
However, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may act cautiously. Analysts suggest Kim could hesitate to commit more forces now that Lee Jae-myung governs South Korea. Lee’s approach may impact Kim’s calculus on military cooperation.
Shoigu’s visit follows a March trip where he delivered a personal message from Putin to Kim. During that meeting, the Ukraine war dominated their agenda. In April, both countries acknowledged DPRK troop involvement in repelling Ukrainian forces from Kursk. These revelations give greater weight to the ongoing Russia-North Korea talks and their broader geopolitical implications.
