Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko touched down in North Korea’s capital Wednesday for scheduled diplomatic discussions with Kim Jong Un.
Upon landing at Pyongyang’s airport, Lukashenko received a welcome from Kim Tok Hun, a high-ranking North Korean official who received a vice premier appointment this week, the Belarusian state news outlet Belta reported. While North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency had previously announced that Lukashenko would conduct an official visit following Kim’s invitation, they had not yet verified his touchdown.
The Belarusian leader, who has maintained authoritarian control over his nation for more than 30 years, maintains strong ties with the Kremlin. He permitted Russia to utilize Belarusian soil as a launch point for Moscow’s comprehensive attack on Ukraine beginning in February 2022, and subsequently approved the placement of Russian tactical nuclear arms within Belarus.
Kim has similarly strengthened connections with Russia in recent times, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial weapon shipments to assist President Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian conflict, while pursuing a more aggressive international strategy focused on building relationships with nations opposing Washington.
Speaking before North Korea’s ceremonial parliament Monday, Kim blamed the United States for worldwide “state terrorism and aggression,” seemingly referencing Middle Eastern conflicts, and urged Pyongyang to take a more prominent position in a coalition against Washington as anti-American feelings intensify.
Belta indicated that discussions between the two leaders will focus on strengthening bilateral relationships between North Korea and Belarus. The agency noted that Lukashenko previously met with Kim in Beijing last September and received an invitation to visit North Korea. Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov traveled to North Korea in 2024, stating that both nations plan to finalize a friendship and cooperation agreement during this visit.
