North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a message of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed his sympathy to the Russian embassy in North Korea following the death of Aleksandr Ivanovich Matsegora, Moscow's ambassador to Pyongyang. The news was reported Tuesday by the official North Korean news agency KCNA.
According to KCNA, the diplomat's "sudden passing" is a "heartbreaking event" and a "great loss" not only for the Russian government and people, but also for the North Korean people. The agency did not provide any details about the circumstances or cause of the ambassador's death.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on its website that Matsegora, aged 70, died on Saturday. He was described as an "outstanding diplomat and patriot" who played a key role in developing and strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea.
The ambassador's death comes amid a marked diplomatic rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow, as the two countries intensify their political, economic, and military exchanges. The official tribute paid by Kim Jong Un underscores the importance North Korea attaches to this strategic relationship, especially since Matsegora was one of the key architects of this strengthened bilateral dialogue.
