Pyongyang: Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, visited North Korea to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine, a Russian report said Saturday. Volodin, who serves as the chairman of the State Duma, was received by Jo Yong-won, chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, upon his arrival in the country.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Volodin's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a working one, primarily to participate in the inauguration of a memorial complex and museum. This museum honors the courage of Korean servicemen who played a significant role in the liberation of Russia's Kursk region. The visit is made "on the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin," and Volodin is expected to engage in discussions with North Korean parliamentary counterparts.

The newly established Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations in Pyongyang is dedicated to North Korean soldiers who lost their lives while supporting Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Following a strategic partnership treaty signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin in June 2024, approximately 15,000 North Korean combat troops were deployed to support Russian military operations against Ukraine.

The museum's opening comes in the wake of Russia's announcement on April 26 of the previous year, declaring the recapture of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops reportedly playing a crucial role in the operation.