What is the visa-waiver deal between North Korea and Belarus about?

The planned agreement would let ordinary citizens travel visa-free between North Korea and Belarus. Belarusian state media said only some technical details still needed to be worked out before signing.

What does North Korea's broader relationship with Russia have to do with Belarus?

The article says North Korea is believed to be strengthening ties with Belarus, a close ally of Russia, after signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia in June 2024. That treaty included a mutual defense clause promising military assistance if either side faces armed aggression.

N. Korea, Belarus near visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens: report

Q: Why are North Korea and Belarus deepening ties now?

The reported visa-waiver move follows the March summit in Pyongyang between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, where they signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation. Belarus also moved in April to open an embassy in Pyongyang.

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Summary

North Korea and Belarus are close to signing a visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens, Belarusian state media reported. Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov discussed the pending deal with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, and said it could be signed very soon. The report said only some technical details remained. The move follows recent steps to deepen bilateral ties, including a March summit and plans to open a Belarusian embassy in Pyongyang.

Key Facts

Belarusian state media said Belarus and North Korea still had only some technical details left to work out on the visa-waiver agreement.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov discussed the pending deal with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.
Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a cabinet resolution in April to open a Belarusian Embassy in Pyongyang.
North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia in June 2024, which included a mutual defense clause pledging military assistance if either nation faces armed aggression.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 24, 2026 3:07 pm KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, greets Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko prior to their talks in Pyongyang, in this handout photo released by the Belarusian presidential press service on March 25. AFP-Yonhap

North Korea and Belarus are close to signing a visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens, Belarus' state media has reported.

The report by the Belarusian news agency BelTA on Sunday (Belarus time) said Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov discussed ways to enhance mutual times with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son-hui, including the pending deal.

"We will sign it in the very near future," Ryzhenkov was quoted as saying. "We discussed the entire range of bilateral relations, including the upcoming contacts through the foreign ministries and the signing of a number of agreements, including this important agreement on visa-free travel for citizens."

The report said only "some technical details" were left to be work out.

The move is believed to be a follow-up to the March summit in Pyongyang between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, where they signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation. At that time, Lukashenko was seen receiving an assault rifle as a present from Kim.

In another sign of deepening ties, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed a cabinet resolution in April to open a Belarusian Embassy in Pyongyang.

North Korea is believed to be strengthening ties with Belarus, a close ally of Russia, with which Pyongyang signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024. The treaty included a mutual defense clause pledging military assistance if either nation faces armed aggression.

South Korea's unification ministry said Monday it is difficult to confirm which countries have visa-waiver agreements for ordinary North Korean citizens, though Pyongyang is known to have such agreements for diplomats and civil servants.

North Korea is believed to have mutual visa-waiver programs with traditional allies, including China, Indonesia and Vietnam. It has reportedly signed a similar agreement with Russia, though details remain unknown.

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