North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui Meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow

Choe Son Hui, the top diplomat of North Korea, arrived in Moscow on July 20, 2026, at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The visit, according to Russian state media, was part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties. The meeting took place in the Russian capital, with no obvious occasion such as a multilateral event or state anniversary, raising questions about its purpose. The two countries have intensified exchanges of delegations and contacts in the economy, science, education, healthcare, and other fields, according to Russian state media. However, the visit by Choe Son Hui has also raised speculation that she may be coordinating a possible visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia, as noted by the NPR. No official confirmation of such plans has been released.