Russian delegation arrives in Pyongyang as ties deepen with North Korea

PYONGYANG: North Korean state media said on Tuesday (May 21) that a Russian delegation has arrived in Pyongyang as ties between the two countries have grown stronger since Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia last year.

A video provided by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which Reuters cannot independently verify, showed the delegation led by Grigory Rapota, a member of the International Affairs Committee of Russia’s Federation Council and chairman of the Russia-North Korea friendship parliamentary group, arriving at the Pyongyang airport and greeted by his North Korean counterpart Ri Chol.

KCNA said the delegation arrived on Monday (May 20), but it didn’t elaborate the purpose of the visit.

The Russian Embassy in North Korea said through its Telegram channel that the delegation will be staying in Pyongyang until Friday (May 24) and the two sides will discuss parliamentary exchanges and further engagements.

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