The Russian Primorsky Krai government delegation, which visited North Korea to discuss economic cooperation with North Korea, met with Prime Minister Kim Tok-hoon and visited factories and ski resorts in Pyongyang and other regions.
The Labor Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on its front page on the 15th that Prime Minister Kim met with Governor Oleg Kozemyako, head of the Russian Primorsky Krai government delegation, at the Mansudae Capitol the previous day (the 14th).
Also present at the event were North Korea’s Foreign Economy Minister Yoon Jong-ho, officials from related sectors, the Russian delegation, and the Russian Federation’s temporary chargé d’affaires to North Korea Vladimir Topeha.
On the 15th, Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North Korean Workers’ Party, reported, “A delegation from the Russian Primorsky Krai government, headed by Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozemyako, visited Pyongyang and various places in the province.” Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun = News 1The newspaper said, “The conversation took place in a comradely and friendly atmosphere,” but did not reveal specific details.
The Russian Primorsky Krai government delegation arrived in Pyongyang on the 11th and discussed economic cooperation measures through a meeting between Foreign Economy Minister Yoon Jeong-ho and Governor Kozemyako the next day.
Although North Korea remains silent about what issues were discussed and agreed upon with the Russian delegation, it is presumed that the Russian delegation visited North Korea to discuss ways to cooperate with North Korea in the fields of tourism, trade, and agriculture. The Maritime Province is the only region where North Korea shares a border with Russia, and there is a demand for active human exchange.
However, since arms trade between North Korea and Russia and the dispatch of North Korean workers overseas are all violations of the UN’s resolution on sanctions against North Korea, it appears that North Korea and Russia are conscious of this and are not disclosing the details of their cooperation projects.
On the 15th, Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North Korean Workers’ Party, reported, “A delegation from the Russian Primorsky Krai government, headed by Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozemyako, visited Pyongyang and various places in the province.” Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun = News 1The newspaper separately reported that the Russian delegation visited several places in Pyongyang and the provinces. According to the newspaper, they examined the current status of automation and informatization of the production process at the Chollima Tile Factory and visited the Taedong River Fruit Processing Plant and the Noh Center at Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies. It is said that they also visited Masikryeong Ski Resort and toured it.
In particular, the fact that the Russian delegation visited Masikryong Ski Resort, which is a representative tourist destination in North Korea but has virtually ceased operation after the COVID-19 incident, suggests that North Korea and Russia may have discussed in detail the revitalization of the tourism business.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.