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State media reported Wednesday that North Korean officials attended a picture exhibition hosted by the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang and highlighted their cooperation connections, suggesting Pyongyang’s resumption of in-person diplomacy stalled due to the coronavirus.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, the photo show was staged Tuesday “to commemorate Chairman Kim Jong-historic il’s tour to Russia and the 10th anniversary of his travel to the Siberian and Far Eastern areas.”
North Korea was ruled by Kim Jong-il, the father of the current leader, Kim Jong-un, until his death in 2011.
Participants, including Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il, welcomed the leaders’ visits to Russia as “significant events” that contributed to improving Pyongyang-Moscow relations and safeguarding regional peace and security, according to the statement.
Im said in a statement on the foreign ministry’s website that North Korea and Russia have strengthened their relationships in a variety of fields, including politics and business, and that the relationship will continue to improve in the future.
“From a strategic perspective, and in line with the demands of our period,” he said, “it is our republic government’s clear stance that we will inherit and promote the cordial relations between North Korea and Russia, which have a long history and tradition.”
North Korea claims to be free of the coronavirus, but since early last year, it has adopted a series of quick and extreme anti-virus measures, including locking its borders and establishing strict mobility restrictions.
Pyongyang is reviving its long-suspended in-person diplomacy, according to signals.
North Korean diplomats attended a similar photo show in June at the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang to commemorate Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the nation for the second time.
