Memories Of The Late Russian Ambassador, North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un: Big Loss

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his condolences at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his deep condolences and loss when he expressed his condolences for the death of the Russian Ambassador to Pyongyang.

Leader Kim and a number of high-ranking North Korean officials visited the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to express their condolences for the death of Ambassador Alexander Matsegora who has served in the country since 2014, state media reported Thursday.

The visit, which the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said took place on Wednesday, highlighted the close relations between North Korea and Russia since Moscow launched a conflict in Ukraine.

Leader Kim placed flowers at the embassy and held a moment of silence in memory of the Ambassador Matsegora, KCNA reported.

Leader Kim said the death of the Matsegora Ambassador was "deep sadness and a great loss. The loss of ambassadors at a time of important historic phase has been opened in the development of relations between the two countries," as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP (11/12).

Earlier, Moscow on Monday announced Ambassador Alexander Matsegora died last weekend at the age of 70.

Ambassador Matsegora has served as Russian Ambassador to North Korea since 2014, having previously served as adviser at the embassy and Deputy Head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Asia Department.

Under his leadership, relations between the two neighboring countries warmed to an unprecedented level since the Soviet era.

Last year, President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang for the first time in more than two decades.