On Sunday, Belarus’s state news agency BelTA reported that Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov discussed ways to strengthen mutual ties with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son-hui, including a pending agreement.
Read more Prime Minister asked CERN to accept Lithuania as a full member
“We will sign it very soon,” Ryzhenkov was quoted as saying. “We discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including future contacts through the foreign ministries and the signing of many agreements, including this important agreement on visa-free travel for citizens.”
The report stated that only “some technical details” remained to be discussed.
The move is believed to be a follow-up to the summit between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in March, where they signed a friendship and cooperation agreement. At the time, Lukashenka was seen receiving an automatic rifle as a gift from Kim Jong Un.
Another sign of strengthening ties is that in April, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a cabinet resolution on the opening of a Belarusian embassy in Pyongyang.
Read more Chicken steak you’ve never tasted before: the secret – an unexpected lingonberry marinade
North Korea is believed to be strengthening ties with Belarus, a close ally of Russia, with whom Pyongyang signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024. The agreement included a mutual defense clause committing to provide military assistance if either country faced armed aggression.
Lukashenka was seen receiving an automatic rifle as a gift from Kim Jong Un.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry stated on Monday that it is difficult to confirm which countries have visa-free agreements with ordinary North Korean citizens, although Pyongyang is known to have such agreements with diplomats and government officials.
Read more Electric Ford Transit: why is the price already lower than the diesel one?
