On December 6, 2025, Aleksandr Ivanovich Matsegora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, passed away suddenly at the age of 71. The editorial board of New Eastern Outlook expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and takes this opportunity to remember this wonderful man.
A truly inspiring path
Then, for several years, he was a researcher at the Institute of the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences (now the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences), where he proved himself as a scientist, researcher, and author of a number of important materials on the history and politics of the DPRK at that time. Rereading these texts now, one may observe his deep knowledge of the country and correct predictions. In addition, Aleksandr Matsegora contributed to the formation of the scientific school of Korean studies, both then and later, by nurturing scientific youth and encouraging their interest in studying North Korea, which differed significantly at that time.
In 1999, Aleksandr switched from scientific work to diplomatic work, initially working as a consul in Busan, where, defending the interests of his country, he worked tirelessly to dismantle the system of human trafficking from the CIS countries in the “dark” areas of Busan. Then he worked in the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as the Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in the DPRK from 2006 to 2011.
In December 2014, Aleksandr Matsegora became the ambassador of the Russian Federation to North Korea, for eleven years (a very long time for such a position) skillfully and professionally defending Russian interests.
For scientists, diplomats, and experts from various countries, Aleksandr Matsegora is remembered as a man who was “a diplomat, not just an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Being a proponent of improving relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, he did a lot for this even before the geopolitical situation changed, so the current level of relations between our two countries, reflected in the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, is largely his merit.
Aleksandr was a man of great personal courage and perseverance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when North Korea was self-isolating for 3 years and most of the diplomats left the country, Matsegora, despite his age, remained in the DPRK and headed the embassy.
His personal qualities and integrity were respected even by his ideological opponents. Anthony Rinna, senior editor at the Sino-NK research group, who participated in online debates with Matsegora, said that his candor about the challenges he faced as head of mission sets him apart from other diplomats, and he remains personable even to those who may not share his views.
For his services, Aleksandr was awarded the Order of Friendship (2018) and the Order of Alexander Nevsky (2024). In 2015, he was awarded the North Korean Order of Friendship, First Class.
Condolences from top Russian and North Korean officials
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolences to the relatives of the deceased. It notes that as ambassador to the DPRK, Matsegora “contributed to the qualitative expansion of multifaceted cooperation with this most important partner and ally of our country. He played a key role in solving issues related to the participation of the North Korean military contingent in the liberation of the territories of the Kursk region from invaders.”
Top officials of the DPRK also expressed condolences over Matsegora’s death. On December 8, Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The DPRK leader pointed out that “Matsegora was a close friend and comrade of the Korean people, who over the past 30 years devoted his entire life to the development of Korean-Russian friendship. Along the path of strengthening and developing Korean-Russian relations as strong allies, there remain traces of the selfless efforts of Ambassador A. I. Matsegora, who, supporting the plan and will of the leaders of the two countries, devoted his tireless energy to this cause… The sudden death of Ambassador A. I. Matsegora, at a time when the development of relations between the two countries, the DPRK and the Russian Federation, has entered an important historical phase, is truly a sorrowful event and a great loss not only for the government and the people of Russia, but also for me and our people.”
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui sent such a letter to her counterpart Sergey Lavrov, in which she noted that “Matsegora was a capable and experienced diplomat who, in support of the noble plan of the heads of the two countries, the DPRK and the Russian Federation, made a special contribution to the bright future of bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation. He was a close friend of the Korean people, and Matsegora’s death is a great loss for the peoples of the two countries.”
It should be noted that the tone of these messages differs from official expressions of condolences. They were written about the loss of a man who was more significant than just an ambassador. As one of the author’s respondents noted, Kim responded as if he had lost a friend or relative. One of Matsegora’s many achievements was establishing personal, friendly relations with the country’s leadership. John Everard, the British ambassador to the DPRK from 2006 to 2008, claims that Kim’s children affectionately called him “grandpa.”
The future of Russia-DPRK relations
According to the President of the Russian Federation, the sudden passing away of Aleksandr Matsegora is “a heavy, truly irreparable loss for Russian foreign policy.”
It is yet unclear who will replace Aleksandr Matsegora as ambassador, since it will not be easy to find an equivalent candidate, taking into account his competencies and merits. Many things rested on his authority. However, it would probably be incorrect to say that the peak of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang is in the past. The relations between Russia and the DPRK, fostered by Aleksandr Matsegora, will continue to develop, and the memory of this remarkable scientist, diplomat, and patriot will live in our hearts.
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