Kim Jong-un Meets Russian Culture Minister in Pyongyang

On June 29, Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, met with Olga Lyubimova, the Russian Minister of Culture, at the headquarters of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang. During their meeting, they attended a performance that featured images of North Korean soldiers deployed in Ukraine. The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on June 30 that Kim discussed ways to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation between North Korea and Russia. He noted the significance of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Pyongyang last June, stating that it has made a substantial contribution to the mutual development and welfare of both nations. Kim emphasized the need to expand exchanges and cooperation in the cultural and artistic fields to better understand and learn from each other's rich cultural traditions.

Minister Lyubimova expressed her appreciation for the strong friendship and unity between North Korea and Russia, highlighting that their cultural cooperation has reached unprecedented levels. The two leaders also watched performances by artists from both countries, during which North Korean singers performed against a backdrop of images depicting North Korean soldiers waving the North Korean and Russian flags in the Kursk region. The Russian Pyatnitsky State Academic Folk Choir and the Gzhel Moscow State Academic Theater of Mimodrama presented North Korean songs, including the folk song 'Arirang.'

Notably, Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, was present during the event, seemingly observing the diplomatic interactions between her father, Minister Lyubimova, and Alexander Matsegora, the Russian Ambassador to North Korea. This meeting comes as North Korea showcases its close ties with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, having recently agreed to send 6,000 engineering troops and military construction personnel to Russia. On June 19, North Korea reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Russia, marking the first anniversary of their treaty.