Russian Culture Minister Visits Pyongyang Marking Partnership Anniversary

Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova visited North Korea in late June 2025 with a delegation of 125 performers, including the Pyatnitsky Choir and the Gzhel Moscow National Academic Theatre of Dance, to commemorate the first anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea. During the visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries, highlighting Lyubimova's trip as a key opportunity to deepen cultural ties. Lyubimova praised the cultural cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, describing it as having reached "unprecedented heights" following agreements made by President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, including a mutual defense pact signed last year. The visit featured scheduled concerts and lectures in Pyongyang to celebrate and expand cultural collaborations, reflecting the broader strategic partnership that has deepened since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The two countries have also disclosed North Korean troop deployments in Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, underscoring the multifaceted nature of their alliance. This cultural diplomacy underscores Russia and North Korea’s intent to solidify their ties both militarily and culturally amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.