North Korea's Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarus President Lukashenko to Pyongyang — reports

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang with full military honors, highlighting the strong ties between the two allies of Russia. Lukashenko also paid respects to former North Korean leaders, including a bouquet from Vladimir Putin.

Joyce Lee/Reuters

March 26, 2026

North Korea's Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarus President Lukashenko to Pyongyang — reports

North Korea's Kim Jong Un welcomes Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in Pyongyang, North Korea, March 25, 2026.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency/Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang on Wednesday, North Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday, touting ties between the two close allies of Russia's Vladimir Putin.

When Lukashenko visited Pyongyang's Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to former North Korean leaders, he laid a bouquet sent by Putin in addition to a flower basket under his own name, KCNA said.

Lukashenko and his delegation were welcomed by Kim with a 21-gun salute, Pyongyang citizens and school children waving the flags of both countries, and a march-past of the North Korean army's honor guard, KCNA said.

KCNA did not yet describe any talks between the leaders.

-Joyce Lee/Reuters