North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first official visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on May 9, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae. He was there to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
The visit, widely covered by North Korea’s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on May 10, reinforces growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Ju Ae was called the “respected child,” continuing her symbolic presence in state media coverage.
Top officials joined Kim, including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, Defense Minister No Kwang Chol, and senior party secretaries Jo Yong Won, Pak Jong Chon, and Ri Hi Yong.
The second page of the newspaper featured the full text of Kim’s speech. He defended North Korea’s reported military involvement alongside Russia, saying such action was “justified” under the strategic partnership treaty between the two nations and “within our sovereign rights.”
Kim warned of broader consequences, stating,
“If Ukrainian puppets are allowed to carry out military actions against the territory of a nuclear power, it could embolden the military in Seoul—America’s top proxy—to follow suit.”
On the third page, Rodong Sinmun published a joint congratulatory message delivered by Kim to Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. The letter, reaffirming North Korea’s continued support for Russia, was jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party, the State Affairs Commission, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and the Cabinet.
The fourth page described how Russian Embassy staff laid wreaths at memorials dedicated to Soviet soldiers across North Korea, including the Liberation Monument in Pyongyang and cemeteries in Dongrim, Sinuiju, Wonsan, Hamhung, and Najin. It also noted that the Communist Party of Russia’s Primorsky branch and the Russian Veterans Association recently held commemorative meetings to mark the sixth anniversary of Kim’s first visit to Russia.
The fifth page in the paper covered the departure of a Belarusian delegation that visited Pyongyang for the third meeting of the Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation. The group arrived on May 6, attended meetings on May 8, and departed on May 9.
Finally, the sixth page condemned Japan’s recent announcement that its Ground Self-Defense Force would conduct anti-ship missile exercises beginning in June. The paper accused Japan of escalating regional tension and pursuing “continental invasion ambitions” under the guise of national security.