North Korea and Russia Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Energy, Agriculture, and Tech

On Wednesday, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the 11th meeting of the DPRK-Russia Inter-sector Talks for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology was held in Pyongyang on Tuesday.

Attendees included Yun Jong Ho, North Korea’s Minister of External Economic Relations and chairman of the North Korea-Russia Economic Joint Committee; Alexander Kozlov, the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and chairman of the Russian side; other Russian government representatives; and Alexander Matsegora, the Russian Ambassador to North Korea.

During the meeting, both parties conducted a comprehensive review of the implementation of protocols from last year’s 10th meeting. They also engaged in detailed discussions on various bilateral cooperation matters in energy, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, and tourism sectors.

Since its establishment in 1996, the DPRK-Russia Economic Joint Committee has convened 11 times, seven of these meetings, including the recent one, in Pyongyang.

Previously, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally received the Russian government delegation and met with Minister Kozlov at the Workers’ Party headquarters. This marks the first instance of North Korea’s supreme leader meeting with the chairman of the North Korea-Russia Economic Joint Committee.

On the same day, the Russian delegation paid their respects at the Liberation Monument, commemorating Soviet soldiers who perished during the Korean War. They also visited various sites, including the Juche Tower, the Central Zoo, and the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.