Russian Foreign Minister Visits North Korea... Is Kim Jong-un's Visit to Russia Being Coordinated?

Sergey Shoigu, Secretary, Visits North Korea Again Just One Month After Previous Visit

Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, is scheduled to visit North Korea from the 11th to the 13th at the invitation of the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Korean Central News Agency on the 9th. While the report did not specify the purpose of Lavrov's visit, it is expected that he will hold talks with Choe Son-hui, the North Korean Foreign Minister.

There is also speculation that Foreign Minister Lavrov may pay a courtesy call to Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. During his stay, Lavrov is expected to discuss Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia. Last June, during his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Chairman Kim Jong-un to Moscow.

Discussions are also anticipated regarding major international issues, including the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities and the Middle East situation. Lavrov's visit comes less than a month after Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, made two visits to Pyongyang last month and met with Kim Jong-un. Shoigu reportedly agreed to the dispatch of 1,000 North Korean military engineers and 5,000 military construction personnel during his meeting with Kim. International media outlets such as CNN have even suggested the possibility of additional North Korean combat troop deployments.

Hyunil Lee, hiuneal@hankyung.com