North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received an assault rifle as a gift from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a summit in Pyongyang on Thursday, where the two leaders signed a friendship treaty. The meeting underscored deepening ties between the two Russia-aligned states, both heavily sanctioned by the West.
According to North Korean state media, the countries signed agreements on cooperation in various sectors, including diplomacy, agriculture, education, and public health. Kim gifted Lukashenko a sword and a large shell vase bearing the Belarusian president's image. The Belarus-manufactured assault rifle was among Lukashenko's gifts to Kim, with Lukashenko joking that Kim might need it “in case enemies appear,” as shown in a video released by Belarusian state media.
Kim hosted Lukashenko at an ice-skating show and a formal reception before personally seeing him off at Pyongyang's airport. At a banquet, Kim said Lukashenko's visit—the first by a Belarusian president since diplomatic relations were established—was meaningful for upgrading bilateral relations. Lukashenko arrived for a two-day visit and signed a new treaty agreeing to cooperate more closely and resist pressure from the US-led West.
Lukashenko told Kim: “I can tell you as a friend, as a person who has already seen everything in this world: a great future awaits your country with this hardworking, disciplined people.” He added that their cooperation is important as “the norms of international law are openly ignored and violated by powers that be,” and they need to unite for “protecting their sovereignty and improving the wellbeing of our citizens,” according to news agency Belta.
The partnership is rooted in support for Russia's war in Ukraine, with Belarus facilitating the invasion and North Korea reinforcing it with troops and weapons. Chang Yoon Jeong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, said the meeting aligns with Kim's foreign policy embracing a “multipolar world order” and an “anti-West alliance,” and that the countries could also be pursuing stronger three-way cooperation with Moscow.
