Kim Jong Un Holds Talks with Russian Defense Minister Belousov in Pyongyang
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Geopolitics
PYONGYANG — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held separate talks with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov in Pyongyang on Sunday, April 26, 2026, . The two sides discussed the state and prospects of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, aiming to place their defense partnership on a stable, long-term footing .
The meeting, described by Russian state media as held in an “unprecedentedly high-level” atmosphere of mutual trust, formalized a shift from the short-term coordination seen during the Ukraine war toward a structured, long-term alliance .
A Five-Year Plan for Military Cooperation
The most significant outcome of the Kim-Belousov meeting was Russia’s stated readiness to sign a formal military cooperation plan spanning the years 2027 to 2031 . Belousov emphasized that Moscow is prepared to “place military cooperation on a stable, long-term basis” and sign the plan this year .
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting Date | April 26, 2026 |
| Location | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Key Announcement | Russia ready to sign 2027–2031 military cooperation plan |
| Current Treaty Basis | June 2024 strategic partnership (mutual defense) |
| North Korean Troops Deployed | ~15,000 to Kursk region, Russia |
The proposal moves beyond the 2024 strategic partnership treaty, which calls for providing military assistance “without delay” if either side faces an attack, toward a multi-year framework that would institutionalize joint military activities including training, technology transfer, and operational coordination . According to Belousov, “Russian-Korean interstate relations are at an unprecedentedly high level” .
Volodin’s Visit and the Kursk Memorial
Before meeting Belousov, Kim received Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, who was in Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats in Overseas Military Operations . The museum commemorates North Korean soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war .
| Visitor | Role | Key Message |
|---|---|---|
| Vyacheslav Volodin | State Duma Chairman | Conveyed Putin’s greetings; thanked North Korean troops for “liberating” Kursk |
| Andrey Belousov | Defense Minister | Discussed long-term military cooperation; proposed 2027–2031 plan |
Volodin expressed gratitude for North Korea’s military dispatch, stating: “North Korean troops fought shoulder-to-shoulder with our soldiers to liberate Russian territory from Ukrainian Nazis” . He added that “the Russian people will never forget the dedication of North Korean soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their homeland’s freedom” .
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea deployed approximately 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after Kim and Putin signed their strategic partnership treaty in June 2024 . South Korea has estimated that as many as 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the Kursk region .
A New Phase in the Russia-North Korea Axis
The back-to-back high-level visits—first Volodin, then Belousov—signal a deliberate escalation in Russia-North Korea military diplomacy. Analysts suggest the five-year cooperation plan could encompass several areas:
- Joint military exercises – Expanding beyond the current scope of North Korean troop deployment to Russia
- Technology transfer – Potential Russian assistance with North Korea’s satellite and missile programs
- Intelligence sharing – Deepening coordination on regional security, particularly regarding the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine
Belousov noted that “the current year promises to be no less eventful in terms of bilateral contacts across a number of areas,” hinting at continued high-level exchanges .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What did Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Belousov discuss?
They discussed strengthening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, with Belousov proposing a five-year military cooperation plan covering 2027–2031 .
Q2: When did the meeting take place?
The meeting occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Pyongyang, North Korea .
Q3: Was this the first meeting between Kim and Belousov?
No. Kim had previously met Belousov in Pyongyang in November 2024, where Kim expressed support for Russia’s war efforts and condemned US military aid to Ukraine .
Q4: Who else did Kim meet during this visit?
Kim also met Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, who attended the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring North Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war .
Q5: What is the significance of the 2027–2031 plan?
It would institutionalize Russia-North Korea military cooperation beyond short-term wartime coordination, potentially creating a lasting alliance framework for joint exercises, technology sharing, and mutual defense commitments .
Q6: How many North Korean troops are deployed in Russia?
Approximately 15,000 North Korean combat troops have been deployed to support Russia, primarily in the Kursk region. South Korean intelligence estimates up to 2,000 have been killed in action .
Q7: What is the legal basis for Russia-North Korea military cooperation?
The June 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed by Kim and Putin, commits both nations to provide military assistance “without delay” if either faces an armed attack .
Q8: Has Russia acknowledged North Korea’s military role?
Yes. Both Volodin and Belousov publicly thanked North Korean troops and presented military awards to North Korean soldiers involved in the Kursk operation .
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Meeting Participants | Kim Jong Un, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin |
| Location | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Date | April 26, 2026 |
| Main Outcome | Russia proposes 2027–2031 military cooperation plan |
| Current Military Ties | ~15,000 North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region |
| Treaty Framework | June 2024 strategic partnership (mutual defense) |
| Memorial Event | Opening of museum honoring North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine |
Sources and Further Reading
Reflecto News has compiled this report from verified sources including the Russian Embassy in North Korea (Telegram), TASS news agency, Chosun Ilbo, WION, Yonhap News Agency, Deutsche Welle, Anadolu Ajansı, and Aju Press. All information is accurate as of publication.
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