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<\/p>\nSEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met the speaker of Russia’s lower house in Pyongyang on Sunday, a foreign media report said.<\/p>\n
Kim met Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who visited the country to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This photo, captured from the Telegram channel of the Russian Embassy in North Korea on April 26, 2026, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) and Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Volodin conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulations on Kim’s reelection as chairman of the State Affairs Commission.<\/p>\n
He also expressed gratitude for North Korea’s “fraternal support” for Russia, saying: “We jointly honor the memory of those heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of our homeland. This is truly a gesture from a friend,” according to Tass.<\/p>\n
Bilateral ties between Kim and Putin “have become key to building the future, especially during the most difficult times,” Volodin added.<\/p>\n
North Korea was set to open the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats in Overseas Military Operations in Pyongyang, commemorating its soldiers who died while fighting for Russia in the war.<\/p>\n
The North deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov arrived in the North on Sunday for a working visit, according to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.<\/p>\n
Belousov is expected to hold meetings with North Korean leadership and attend various commemorative events amid growing military ties between the two countries.<\/p>\n
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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