Head of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources arrives in Pyongyang for an intergovernmental commission meeting

A Russian government delegation headed by Alexander Kozlov, Chairman of the Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation, Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, arrived in Pyongyang to participate in the 11th meeting of the intergovernmental commission. This was reported by the Korean Central Telegraphic Agency (KCTAK) on November 17.

The delegation was met by the chairman of the DPRK commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation and Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs Yun Jong-ho.

It is also reported that the national flags of the DPRK and the Russian Federation were flying on the flagpoles of Pyongyang International Airport.

Earlier, on November 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied Western media reports about China's dissatisfaction with Russia's cooperation with the DPRK. In addition, the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Moscow regularly consults with Beijing on how the Russian Federation should coordinate its actions with regard to the problems on and around the Korean Peninsula that are created by the Americans and allies.

Russia and the DPRK are actively and very successfully developing their diplomatic relations. Thus, on October 29, DPRK Foreign Minister Choi Seong-hee paid an official visit to Moscow as part of the strategic dialog, an agreement to intensify which was reached by Russian and DPRK leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un during the Russian president's state visit to Pyongyang. In June, Putin emphasized that cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow is based on the principles of equal rights and mutual respect for the interests of the two states.