Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on July 20 (local time) that it is important for the "secret communication" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to continue.

According to TASS news agency, Minister Lavrov met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who is visiting Moscow, and said, "I would like to note that these two leaders attended the 80th anniversary ceremony of the Victory Day held in Beijing on September 3 last year."

Minister Lavrov noted that two years have passed since President Putin held a summit with Chairman Kim in Pyongyang in June 2024, adding that "the decisions adopted by the leaders of the two countries are being consistently implemented."

He also referred to the North Korean troops deployed to the Kursk front since October 2024, emphasizing that "they sacrificed their lives while contributing to liberating Russian land from Ukrainian Nazis," and that "the Russian people will never forget their courage and dedication."

Foreign Minister Choe arrived in Russia on July 18 and paid a courtesy call to President Putin on July 19.

During the meeting, President Putin expressed his gratitude to the North Korean leadership, stating that North Korean troops have assisted in Russia's special military operation (the war in Ukraine).

This marks Foreign Minister Choe's first visit to Russia in about nine months since October of last year.

As Foreign Minister Choe made the trip at a time without any clear occasion, such as a multilateral conference or a major diplomatic anniversary, it has sparked speculation that "preliminary coordination" for Chairman Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia may be underway.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)