Moscow said on Monday that Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, who worked in the reclusive country for decades and more recently oversaw a booming relationship between the two countries, died over the weekend.
North Korea has become one of Russia’s closest allies during Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine, with Pyongyang sending troops and weapons to help fight Kiev.
Alexander Matsegora, who spent his life promoting relations between the Kremlin and Pyongyang, died on December 6 at the age of 70, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, the organization called Masegola a “talented and gifted man” who “dedicated his life to selfless service to his country.”
Matsegora became ambassador to Pyongyang in 2014 and previously served as embassy counselor and deputy director of the Asia Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
During his tenure, relations between the neighbors have heated up to levels not seen since the Soviet era. Last year, President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang for the first time in more than two decades.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his condolences to Vladimir Putin over the “sudden death” of his ambassador, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Kim Jong-un said it was a “heartbreaking incident and a huge loss,” especially because it occurred as bilateral relations entered a “critical historical stage,” the news agency reported.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui also described Matsegora as a “valuable comrade”, a “versatile veteran diplomat and a close friend of the North Korean people.”
During the Soviet era, Matsegora worked on trade relations between the Soviet Union and North Korea.
Moscow has not revealed who will succeed Matsegora.
Russian ministers have made regular visits to one of the world’s most secretive countries since Putin’s visit last year.
“The unprecedented level of relations reached today between the Russian Federation and North Korea is the result of many years of hard work,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding that Matsegora enjoyed “deep respect” in both North Korea and Russia.
Kim Jong-un has been emboldened by Russia’s war in Ukraine and has gained critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian troops.
Analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies from Russia in exchange for sending troops.
This allows it to sidestep tough international sanctions imposed on its nuclear and missile programs, which were once important bargaining chips for the United States.
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