Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has paid a condolatory visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to mourn the death of Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Matsegora, the North's state media reported Thursday. Kim's visit to the embassy took place a day after the North confirmed the sudden death of the Russian ambassador, who had served in the country for more than 10 years.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim "laid a bunch of flowers and observed a moment's silence in memory of Aleksandr Ivanovich Matsegora, who devoted his noble life to boosting and developing the DPRK-Russia friendship," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Kim also met with members of the bereaved family and embassy staff, expressing condolences to them.

Kim eulogized Matsegora as "an able diplomat" who contributed significantly to the history of North Korea-Russia relations. He noted that Matsegora's death is "a deep sorrow and great loss" to both Russia and North Korea, especially as the two countries have entered "an important historic phase" in their relationship development. Kim emphasized that despite Matsegora's passing, the respect and memories of him would endure, and DPRK-Russia relations would continue to grow as he had hoped.

Photos released showed Kim kneeling on one knee to offer flowers to Matsegora's portrait. Matsegora had served as Russia's ambassador to North Korea for over a decade before dying suddenly at age 70 for unknown reasons.

North Korea and Russia have significantly strengthened their relations, highlighted by the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership last year. This partnership led to North Korea deploying troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine while Matsegora was still in office.

The KCNA reported that several high-ranking North Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, and Kim Song-nam, director of the international department of the Workers' Party of Korea, also paid their respects at the embassy.