North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian Foreign MinisterSergey
Lavrov / Russian Foreign Ministry
In one of the photos, Lavrov has a relaxed, good-natured expression, while Kim apparently took a more formal approach to the photo-op. The Russian diplomat has travelled to the North Korean capital to hold talks with senior officials aimed at supporting intra-Korean negotiations and de-escalation on the Korean Peninsula.
Lavrov added a bit of suspense to his meeting with Kim when he presented him with a box, leaving bystanders guessing what’s inside.
“You can lock secret things here,” the top Russian diplomat said with a smile as he gave the North’s leader a key to it.
During the meeting, Lavrov and North Korea’s leader pledged to do their utmost to secure peace talks to ease the Korean knot. Next time, both may hold talks in Moscow, as Lavrov has invited Kim to pay a visit to Russia. “We’ll be happy if you come visit,” Lavrov said, with Kim in turn sending his best wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian Foreign Minister also caught up with his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho. Lavrov stressed that the ultimate goal of Korean denuclearization cannot be reached as long as sanctions against Pyongyang are in place.
