June 26, Moscow. (DPRK ISG Information Bureau — RSTV)   

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On June 19, activists of international solidarity paid a congratulatory visit to the Embassy of the DPRK and took part in the Conference on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Korean-Russian summit and the signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Korea and the Russian Federation.

The event, organised in the shortest possible time by the DPRK International Solidarity Group (DPRK ISG) and the Russian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, brought together many friends of Korea – representatives of the Russian academic community, state apparatus, students, and people's diplomacy.

In particular, it was attended by representatives of the 1st Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MID RF), the International Association of Peace Foundations (IAPF), the DPRK International Youth Friendship League (IYFL), the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS), the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS, the Communist Party and the Leninist Communist Youth League of the Russian Federation, the Communist Party "Communists of Russia", the socialist party "Derzhava", as well as the Russian, Ukrainian and North American Executive Committees of the DPRK ISG. Also present were students of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of World Civilizations, the State University of Management, and representatives of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

The participants of the meeting laid a bouquet of flowers before the portrait of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, after which they viewed a photo exhibition dedicated to Korean-Russian relations and the achievements of Korea in socialist construction.

Seats on the presidium were taken by Comrade Ri Yong Jin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the DPRK Embassy; Comrade Viktor Alekseevich Petrov, Honorary President of the DPRK ISG, Chairman of the Russian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK; and Comrade Alexander Andreevich Mostov, Director of the 4th Administrative Department of the Central Committee of the DPRK ISG, representative of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform for cooperation with the DPRK.

By relevant assignment, Comrade Mostov acted as moderator of the conference.

The participants of the conference comprehensively analysed the essence and spirit of the Treaty, which has become a worthy result of the course of history of Russian-Korean friendship, the efforts of diplomats and leaders of the two countries at the present stage.

Opening the meeting, Comrade Viktor Petrov, speaking from the position of a veteran of the international solidarity movement, once again reminded those present of the long, at times thorny path of Russian-Korean friendship, which, despite periods of cooling, remained an important factor in regional stability and the international situation.

Recalling that the history of our friendship began with the joint liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese militarists, and then with the common struggle against American aggression, the speaker stressed that today Korea has "repaid a historical debt" to Russia, shoulder to shoulder with our warriors liberating the Kursk region from fascist invaders – henchmen of the West, similar to the puppet Republic of Korea.

Comrade Petrov expressed particular joy that new generations continue the path of friendship he and his comrades began, constructively approaching the study of Juche Korea and the dissemination of the truth about it.

Comrade Konstantin Asmolov, Leading Researcher of ICCA RAS and Director of the 2nd Scientific Department of the DPRK ISG, relying on numerous official documents and statements by leaders and diplomats of the two countries, outlined the positions of Russia and Korea on bilateral cooperation and international affairs, noting their similarity in the conditions of modern global turbulence.

Comrade Asmolov pointed out that besides economic and military-technical interaction, the countries are also developing humanitarian contacts, a vivid example of which was the trip of children from the Kursk region to the Korean camp Songdowon. As the scholar has repeatedly stressed, both conservative and "democratic" administrations of the Republic of Korea essentially act as conduits of US imperialism in the region, pursuing a dangerous game of escalating tensions in the region. The joint actions of Russia and Korea on the battlefield have undoubtedly become a warning to the Republic of Korea and its Western patron against attempts to encroach on the sovereignty and historical choice of People's Korea.

Comrade Lada Syomina, Chairperson of the Council of Young Scientists of ICCA RAS, focused on examining the cooperation between Russia and Korea in the field of healthcare, calling it one of the most effective ways to create long-term sustainable ties between the countries, deeply rooted in the popular consciousness.

She pointed to the high level of preventive medicine in Korea, which makes it possible to prevent possible diseases through prophylaxis, the use of traditional remedies, and an effective system of district doctors. Comparing the capitalist and socialist approaches to organising healthcare, the speaker pointed to the people‑centred nature of the latter. Whereas in countries where medicine is approached in a bourgeois manner, it is profitable to allow diseases to develop so that the patient later spends more money on their treatment, in Korea, which is building socialism, it is more profitable to prevent disease than to neglect it. Thus, the Korean approach is not only more moral but also more effective, requiring less expenditure.

The speaker outlined the prospects for both the supply of Russian medicines to Korea and the import of Korean traditional remedies. Logistic issues and business models need to be resolved, and then Russian-Korean interaction in the field of healthcare will bring even greater results.

Comrade Sergey Mikhailov, Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the IYFL, highlighted the importance of comprehensively involving new generations in the cause of developing relations between Russia and Korea, for which purpose the DPRK International Youth Friendship League was founded. Uniting all those for whom it is important to be involved in deepening the correct understanding of Korea and the nature of our alliance with it, the IYFL contributes to the future of Russian-Korean friendship and the movement of international solidarity.

Comrade Mikhailov expressed confidence that many of the future diplomats, public and economic figures in the field of Russian-Korean cooperation will come from our organisation. In addition, the speaker noted the need for academic interaction between the two countries, giving relations a scientifically verified character. He pointed to the importance of studying the special socio-economic system of Korea, which is the result of combining the best traditions of the Korean people and the most advanced socio-political thought of our time. "Russian-Korean relations are distinguished by mutual respect for development paths, we are united by a commitment to traditional values and rejection of hegemonism and diktat," concluded Comrade Mikhailov.

Comrade Alexander Mostov drew the attention of those present to the undoubted progress achieved by the forces of people's diplomacy in the practical implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Thanks to the joint efforts of all friends of Korea, it has been possible to further deepen ties between public organisations and businesses of the two countries, strengthen the cohesion of the progressive peoples of the world in support of People's Korea.

Comrade Mostov noted that the elevation of relations between Russia and Korea to a new level was preceded by the painstaking work of diplomats, our movement, and activists of people's diplomacy, which sometimes met resistance from reactionary circles continuing to orient themselves towards Western imperialism. However, as the Director of the Fourth Department of the Central Committee stressed, in 2022 Russia finally returned to the right path of development, clearly realising who poses a threat and who acts as our genuine ally.

Comrade Ri Yong Jin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the DPRK Embassy, delivered the concluding speech. He, thanking those present for their sincere interest in Korea and active support for the leaders and diplomats of our countries, which has made it possible to consistently strengthen cooperation in all areas, referred to the statement of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK for Russian Federation Affairs.

Comrade Ri Yong Jin called the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership a "powerful legal weapon" that provided the basis for the KPA's overseas operation to liberate areas of the Kursk region.

Comrade Ri Yong Jin expressed confidence that Russia and Korea will continue to develop friendly relations, bringing many benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

The Minister Plenipotentiary pointed to the importance of people's diplomacy in demonstrating the inexhaustible vitality of the Treaty, urging those present to continue to serve the Motherland and the cause of international solidarity, in which the Embassy will provide unceasing support.

Then the participants of the conference unanimously adopted a congratulatory telegram addressed to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

The participants of the conference took a commemorative photograph.