Russian Ministers Alexander Kozlov (Natural Resources and Ecology), Mikhail Murashko (Health), and Vladimir Kolokoltsev (Interior) made a simultaneous visit to North Korea. The two nations are expected to hold a grand celebration for the first anniversary of the Liberation of Kursk.
The Rodong Sinmun reported on Thursday that the Russian government delegation, led by Ministers Kozlov and Murashko, visited Wonsan on Tuesday to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Korea-Russia Friendship Hospital.
The ceremony, held in Wonsan’s Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, was attended by North Korean officials including First Vice Premier Kim Tok-hun, Health Minister Kim Du-won, and Foreign Economic Minister Yoon Jeong-ho. The Russian side was represented by both ministers and their delegation.
Health Minister Kim Du-won stated that today, the North Korea-Russia friendship has evolved into an unbreakable strategic alliance, thanks to the special attention of the leaders. He added that the hospital’s construction would further strengthen the friendship between the two nations.
Russian Health Minister Murashko emphasized that the event was more than just laying the hospital’s foundation; it established a framework for long-term cooperation in healthcare between the two countries. He described it as a project implementing agreements made by the North Korean and Russian leaders.
Minister Kozlov remarked that the relationship between Russia and North Korea is founded on equality, mutual respect, and trust. He added that this shows that our border is not a wall, but a door that’s always open.
On the same day in Pyongyang, a Russian delegation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, led by Minister Kolokoltsev, met with Jo Yong-won, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party Central Committee. This meeting suggests that the two countries are significantly expanding their cooperation across various sectors, including economy, health, security, and internal affairs.
Practical talks on health and economic matters also took place in Wonsan. Health Minister Kim Du-won met with Minister Murashko, while Foreign Economic Minister Yoon discussed cooperation tasks, including the hospital construction, with Minister Kozlov.
Furthermore, North Korea and Russia are jointly developing border infrastructure. On Tuesday, the Rodong Sinmun reported the completion of a cross-border automobile bridge. With the main sections connected after just one year of construction, this development is expected to facilitate future logistics, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
During their visit, the Russian delegation toured the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone and paid respects at a Soviet Army memorial.
The visiting Russian ministers and delegation are also expected to attend a grand event marking the first anniversary of the Liberation Operation of Kursk, which North Korea plans to celebrate at the end of this month. North Korea previously claimed to have sent troops to assist in the Kursk occupation and declared the Liberation Operation successful last April.
