Aliaksandr Lukashenka wants Russia’s Primorsky Krai to act as an intermediary in trade with North Korea. He made the remarks while receiving Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako.
“I was in the DPRK quite recently. You know, the leader made a very serious impression on me. A smart man! A young, promising person focused on cooperation. He is not a dictator or anything of the sort. In essence, he cannot be a dictator. We have established good relations. And, Oleg Nikolayevich, we are counting heavily on you to provide intermediary services for us, as we discussed previously, in trade with the DPRK,” Lukashenka said, according to his press service.
He noted that Kim Jong Un had spoken extensively about Kozhemyako.
“He told me a lot about you. I said: ‘So this is our man, our friend.’ He was pleased and supported this idea of cooperation: ‘Belarus – Primorsky Krai – DPRK’,” he said.
For his part, Kozhemyako noted that construction of a bridge across the Tumannaya River linking Russia and North Korea was nearing completion.
“A road bridge, a ferry service is being launched, and a railway crossing. Therefore, we have already begun working on all issues related to the supply of goods and relations connected with settlements,” the Russian official said.
“Somewhere we will be able to lend a helping hand. But overall, you will provide support to us. And this will be beneficial for Primorsky Krai as well. It will be another lever, another avenue for the region’s development,” Lukashenka said.
“Yes, they have demand for your goods. Both machinery and other products. Therefore, I think this will be a convenient route for them. Overall, the relationships have already been worked out. So we will, of course, join this work with great pleasure. In addition, our relations make it possible to do so quite openly and without any additional difficulties,” Kozhemyako responded.
Lukashenka drew the attention of his chief of staff, Dzmitry Krutoi, to the proposed arrangement.
It should be noted that a North Korean delegation is currently in Belarus to attend the Belagro 2026 exhibition.
During the meeting with Kozhemyako, Lukashenka also said that trade turnover between Belarus and the Russian region could exceed $100 million this year. He also suggested that the governor take a look at what was on display at the Belagro exhibition.
