At the invitation of the United Russia party, a high-level delegation from the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), led by Politburo member, Party Secretary, and Chairman of the Central Auditing Commission, Ri Hi-Yong, arrived in Moscow for an official visit.
Visit Timeline
The DPRK delegation included several key figures, including Kim Song-Nam, head of the WPK Central Committee’s International Department.
On February 25, Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of United Russia, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, and former President of Russia, held talks with Ri Hi-Yong. Medvedev noted that the meeting was “a good opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues, primarily related to the ongoing inter-party dialogue, and to reaffirm the long-standing ties of friendship and neighborly relations between the Russian and Korean peoples… Thanks to the energy and will of our countries’ leaders, a new era has begun in Russia-DPRK relations.” Ri Hi-Yong responded by stating: “Under the strategic leadership of the esteemed Comrade Kim Jong-Un and President Vladimir Putin, North Korean-Russian relations are developing dynamically across politics, economics, culture, and military affairs. To fully realize the potential of our comprehensive strategic partnership in line with our leaders’ vision, it is crucial for the ruling parties of both countries to strengthen political unity, tactical-strategic cooperation, and mutual support.”
On February 27, Vladimir Yakushev, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia and First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council held talks with Ri Hi-Yong. During their meeting, they signed a protocol outlining plans for expanding, deepening, and developing multi-faceted cooperation between the WPK and United Russia for the years 2025-2027. Yakushev remarked: “Seven years ago, we signed an agreement on cooperation between United Russia and the Workers’ Party of Korea. Since then, much has changed in the world, but the Russian and Korean peoples have grown even closer. I hope this meeting marks an important milestone in strengthening our inter-party dialogue.”
That same day, President Vladimir Putin met with Ri Hi-Yong at the Kremlin. Their discussion was described as friendly and comradely. Also in attendance were Kim Song-Nam, Russian Presidential Aide for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov, United Russia’s General Council Secretary Vladimir Yakushev, and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov.
The DPRK delegation returned to North Korea on March 1.
Official Outcomes of the Visit
What did both sides achieve beyond exchanging greetings between their leaders, extending invitations to visit North Korea, and reaffirming that the two nations are united by “strong bonds of comradeship and great traditions of friendship?”
The main tangible outcome was the inter-party consultations held at the headquarters of United Russia’s Central Executive Committee, culminating in the signing of a protocol on inter-party cooperation. This agreement marks the beginning of a new stage in inter-party dialogue and provides a concrete framework for collaboration in the following areas.
Firstly, Vladimir Yakushev emphasized that “this year is special for our countries: we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and World War II, as well as the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese militarists. I believe it is essential to preserve the memory of these historic events.” He announced that United Russia will host an international symposium in late April on “The Significance of the Victory over Nazism: Lessons from the Creation of the United Nations.” He also invited a delegation from the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) to participate in the event.
Secondly, joint work between youth organizations, including Young Guard of United Russia and the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. A visit by a Russian youth delegation to Pyongyang is planned for April.
Thirdly, both parties can play a significant role in expanding cross-border cooperation, particularly in the Primorsky Krai region.
Fourthly, the Russian side proposed strengthening cooperation through the Higher Party School.
Fifthly, according to Yakushev, Russia and North Korea will coordinate their responses to the destructive actions of the U.S. and its allies. “We condemn the illegal, unilateral restrictive measures imposed against your country. Instead of the collapsed Euro-Atlantic security system, a framework of equal and indivisible security must be established. Last year, the President of Russia put forward this initiative, and our party fully supports it. We plan to hold public-political hearings and invite representatives of the Workers’ Party of Korea to participate.”
Yakushev also highlighted that United Russia has established an anti-neocolonial movement called “For the Freedom of Nations” and expressed confidence in further cooperation with North Korea within this platform. He proposed signing a joint statement to counter unilateral sanctions and restrictive measures, as a testament to public consensus on this issue.
Additionally, Dmitry Medvedev, in a statement on his VK page, confirmed that Russia and North Korea intend to develop trade and economic relations.
Summing Up
- The visit was exceptionally long, which means it was not merely a protocol event. At the same time, the details of the trips were not disclosed, suggesting that classified matters were discussed – an area that has seen a sharp increase in sensitive issues lately.
- Li heads the Central Auditing Commission, a formal party body with a governmental counterpart. It is a substantial structure with regional branches and significant authority, resembling China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Given Russia’s ongoing struggle with corruption, it is possible that Moscow is looking into North Korea’s experience for a structural overhaul of its oversight mechanisms or, at the very least, to exchange expertise on an issue that is pressing for both Russia and the DPRK.
- The cooperation between ruling parties occupies an interesting niche. On the one hand, it is not formal interstate diplomacy but something closer to public diplomacy, making any agreements reached important yet unofficial. On the other hand, these are still ruling parties, and the fact that the head of the North Korean delegation was received by the president is a significant signal.
- North Korea positions itself as a socialist state and maintains close ties with the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). However, its ideological friendship with the communists does not exclude – rather, it complements – its interactions with United Russia.
- Overall, amid a fresh wave of global turbulence, there is a need for informal consultations that are less visible than an official visit by the Foreign Minister or Prime Minister. And as for what agreements were made – we will find out soon enough.
Konstantin Asmolov, PhD in History, Leading research fellow at the Center for Korean Studies, Institute of China and Modern Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences
