The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a statement: “Gorymykin met with the Minister of Defense of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during his visit to Pyongyang.” The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the Russian delegation’s visit, according to the Minister of Defense of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, contributes to strengthening military brotherhood between the two countries’ armies and stimulates cooperation between their military and political bodies.
Additionally, the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense held talks with the Deputy Chief of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, General Pak Yong Il. Furthermore, Gorymykin and members of the Russian delegation laid flowers at the Liberation Monument, one of the most important memorials in the capital Pyongyang, dedicated to Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945, commemorating the Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of the Korean people.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that relations between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are developing according to plan, saying: “We (Putin and Kim Jong Un) had a detailed discussion in Beijing about our relations and prospects for our development. Everything is proceeding according to plan in the best possible way.”
Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Oleg Savelyev confirmed during the 12th meeting of ASEAN Defense Ministers and Dialogue Partners that “the cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is not directed against third countries unless these countries are aggressors.”
