Russia-North Korea: A Bond Against ‘Hostile Forces’—Intelligence Chiefs Convene

It was the first visit to North Korea in 13 years since 2011

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service delegation, led by Director Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin, visited North Korea to discuss practical issues for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North Korean Workers’ Party, reported on the 28th, “The delegation from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service visited Pyongyang from the 25th to the 27th.”

The newspaper said, “A meeting was held between the Minister of State Security of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Comrade Ri Chang Dae, and the Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service,” adding, “There was also a working-level meeting between the members of the State Security Department and the delegation from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.”

In addition, the newspaper explained the meeting discussed “views on the current international and regional situations surrounding the Korean Peninsula and Russia” and “practical issues to strengthen further cooperation in response to the increasing intrigue of hostile forces,” which were extensively and seriously discussed.

The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere, and it is reported that the two sides completely agreed on the issues raised.

Usually, a Director of Intelligence’s visit is kept confidential. North Korea’s public disclosure of this schedule is interpreted as an intention to showcase the high level of cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service delegation’s visit to North Korea is the first in 13 years since May 2011. At that time, the delegation also met with Kim Jong Il, the Chairman of the North Korean National Defense Commission.