The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 27th that North Korea signed a treaty with Belarus "on friendship and cooperation" and agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in each field, including diplomacy, agriculture, education and health.
Kim Jong-un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, held a summit the previous day with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who visited North Korea, and held a signing ceremony for the "Treaty on friendship and cooperation between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Belarus."
From the North, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Party International Secretary Kim Sung-nam, First Vice Premier Kim Tok-hun, Minister of External Economic Relations Yun Jong-ho, and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jeong-gyu attended. From Belarus, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Education and Industry were present.
In the talks, Kim Jong-un emphasized "support and solidarity for the policy of the Belarusian leadership aimed at achieving sociopolitical stability and economic development and defending sovereign rights on the international stage."
An earlier Belarusian outlet carried Kim Jong-un's remark that he is "against the illegal pressure the West exerts on Belarus." However, North Korea's state media did not address this in its report.
President Lukashenko said, "Bilateral relations based on a long tradition of friendship and shared sentiments have entered a new stage of development today."
The Korean Central News Agency said that at the talks, "a series of plans were discussed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including high-level exchanges," and that "opinions were exchange on international and regional issues of mutual interest."
Agreements on cooperation in various fields, including diplomacy, public information, agriculture, education and health, were also signed between the two countries.
There was also a banquet and a commemorative performance to welcome President Lukashenko. At the banquet, Kim Jong-un said, "This visit to our country serves as a significant step in raising the traditional friendship between Korea and Belarus to a new, higher level."
President Lukashenko said, "The friendship between the two countries is currently developing at a very rapid pace," adding that the two sides "agreed to intensify efforts to expand and deepen comprehensive cooperation, and confirmed that the views of the two countries' leaderships coincide on international issues."
Images were also released showing Kim Jong-un looking satisfied with the various gifts President Lukashenko brought. Video released by the Belarusian BelTA news agency shows that Kim Jong-un hosted a gift exchange event in Pyongyang that day to receive President Lukashenko.
Kim Jong-un showed particular interest in the VSK assault rifle.
BelTA reported that President Lukashenko explained, "Soldiers always need small arms," and that "production of small arms and ammunition is organized domestically in Belarus."
Kim Jong-un picked up the rifle, aimed it, pulled back the bolt to check the chamber, and even pulled the trigger as he examined it, then smiled and set the rifle back in place, saying, "Thank you."
When President Lukashenko spoke in his own language, the interpreter behind him explained to Kim Jong-un, "He says you handle weapons well," and "He says that if enemies invade, you can use it." Kim Jong-un then laughed, "Huh huh huh huh."
When President Lukashenko held up an oval jewelry box and handed it over, saying, "I would like this to be delivered to your daughter—it is a brooch," Kim Jong-un replied, "Oh, thank you."
President Lukashenko then said, "This is for your wife—a symbolic Belarusian flower made of gold," and also prepared a gift for Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju.
When Kim Jong-un received a gift of Belarusian liquor infused with herbs and asked its alcohol content, President Lukashenko answered, "40 degrees."
This is the first time a Belarusian head of state has visited North Korea. Having drawn closer to Russia in connection with the deployment of troops to the war in Ukraine, North Korea is also strengthening ties with Belarus, a pro-Russian country, maintaining a trilateral alignment among North Korea, Russia and Belarus.