 Image: Rodong Sinmun |
North Korea’s Party-run daily Rodong Sinmun published a
detailed article on Wednesday looking back on the results of Secretary of the
Chosun Workers’ Party Cho Ryong Hae’s week-long trip to Russia as Kim Jong
Eun’s special envoy.
In the story published on page two, under the headline
“Report on Visit to Russia Made by Comrade Kim Jong Eun’s Special Envoy,” the
paper wrote, “It was an important opportunity that further strengthened the
traditionally close collaborative ties between the two countries, and it will
be important in securing peace and stability both in Northeast Asia and the
world.”
The daily reported that Choe Ryong Hae visited Russia from
the 17th to 24th as Kim Jong Eun’s special envoy and agreed to hold a joint
celebration next year to mark Korea’s 70th year of liberation and Russia’s
“Victory Day.” It also introduced Choe’s meeting with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
“The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing
exchange and cooperation in 2015 in the political, economic, and military
fields, and others,” the paper wrote. It also hinted at the possibility of the
two countries holding summit talks.
It also went on to report on the meeting with Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and how the two sides discussed ways to increase global cooperation in the sectors of economy, trade, and humanitarian issues.
“Various joint-military drills and movements to step up
aggression around the Chosun Peninsula [Korean Peninsula] must be halted, and a
peaceful resolution must be found through the removal of threats of a nuclear
war,” the paper reported, also emphasizing the need for reopening the six-party
talks with no prerequisites.
The report on the achievements made during this trip comes
two days after Choe’s return from Russia, a trip seen as a move to improve relations with Russia
and help North Korea escape isolation from the international community.
Meanwhile, the paper also reported that No Kwang Chol,
vice-chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army; Ri Kwang Gun,
vice-minister of External Economic Relations; and Kim Kye Gwan, first
vice-minister of Foreign Affairs were also part of the delegation.
