Belarus and North Korea Sign Friendship Treaty in Pyongyang.
Lukashenko and Kim Jong-un formalize ‘fundamentally new stage’ in bilateral ties, signing approximately 10 cooperation agreements
SEOUL — March 26, 2026 — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a treaty on friendship and cooperation in Pyongyang on Thursday, March 26, formalizing the elevation of bilateral relations to what Lukashenko described as a “fundamentally new stage”
The treaty was signed during Lukashenko’s two-day official visit to the North Korean capital, his first since taking power in Belarus in 1994. The leaders also oversaw the signing of approximately 10 additional bilateral documents, including agreements on cooperation in education, culture, healthcare, agriculture, physical culture and sports, according to Belarusian state news agency BelTA .
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“The friendly relations between our states, which originated back in the days of the Soviet Union, have never been interrupted. Today, as a result of comprehensive progressive development, we are transitioning to a fundamentally new stage. Belatedly, but nevertheless, we are transitioning to a new stage,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by BelTA .
A ‘Fundamental’ Document
Lukashenko hailed the treaty as a “fundamental” document that “clearly and openly sets forth the goals and principles of our interaction and defines the institutional framework for future mutually beneficial processes” .
Kim Jong-un expressed “solidarity and full support” for Belarus and spoke out “against unlawful pressure on Belarus from the West,” according to Lukashenko’s press service . Kim also praised Belarus for pursuing “an independent policy in line with its reality” and for its “remarkable successes in defending the sovereignty of its rights and interests” .
The North Korean leader noted that the new interstate treaty would serve as “a legal foundation that will further guarantee the stable development of bilateral relations” .
Elaborate Welcome Ceremony
Lukashenko arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, March 25, and was greeted with an elaborate welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square. The event included the performance of the national anthems of both countries, accompanied by cannon salutes, as well as greetings exchanged between members of the official delegations. Cavalry units and an honor guard company also took part in the ceremony .
Prior to the formal talks, Lukashenko visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum where North Korean state founder Kim Il Sung and former leader Kim Jong-il lie in state, and paid tribute to the late leaders. The Belarusian leader also laid a wreath at the Liberation Monument in Pyongyang, honoring Soviet soldiers who died liberating Korea from Japanese occupation .
At the Liberation Monument, Lukashenko laid a bouquet sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin “as a sign of gratitude for the help in the special military operation” — a reference to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, according to BelTA .
Strengthening Trilateral Coordination
Both Belarus and North Korea have emerged as key allies of Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Lukashenko allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the invasion and later authorized the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus .
North Korea, meanwhile, has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of weapons to support Russian forces in Ukraine, while portraying Pyongyang as part of a united front against Washington .
South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said Thursday’s summit was likely to focus on economic affairs as part of a bid to cement trilateral cooperation also involving Russia .
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“Belarus expressed its readiness to consider options for participation in trilateral initiatives, implementing various projects not only directly with the DPRK, but also in cooperation with Russia or China,” Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov told reporters in Pyongyang ahead of the signing .
Economic Cooperation and Trade
The leaders noted that while trade between the two countries is currently modest, there are a number of interesting areas for potential cooperation. From the Belarusian side, these include pharmaceutical products and food supplies, while cosmetic products — renowned for their quality and affordable prices — could be imported from North Korea .
The two nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1992 and have operated a joint trade and economic cooperation committee since 1995. The once-dormant committee was reactivated in May 2025, and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui visited Belarus in October 2025 to attend a regional security meeting .
The relationship between Minsk and Pyongyang has a deeper historical foundation. North Korean founder Kim Il Sung visited Belarus in 1984, during which he laid a wreath at the monument-obelisk on Victory Square in Minsk, toured the Minsk Tractor Plant, and visited the Brest Fortress .
A Delayed but Intensified Partnership
In remarks during the signing ceremony, Lukashenko acknowledged that bilateral cooperation had not been as close in the past as it could have been. “Yes, we didn’t have close cooperation, largely due to our own fault. But I am sincerely pleased to note that cooperation has now significantly intensified,” he said .
The Belarusian president also noted that the current geopolitical climate had accelerated the rapprochement. “In today’s reality of a global transformation, when the global powers openly ignore and violate international law, independent countries need to cooperate more closely, consolidate efforts aimed at protecting their sovereignty and improving the well-being of our citizens,” Lukashenko said .
The leaders last met in September 2025 in Beijing, where they attended a Chinese military parade among invited foreign leaders. At that time, Kim invited Lukashenko to visit North Korea at any convenient time .
Western Response
Both Belarus and North Korea remain under extensive Western sanctions, and both regimes have been accused by human rights organizations of gross human rights violations. The European Union and the United States have condemned military cooperation between Russia, Belarus and North Korea, warning that such partnerships undermine global security and violate UN sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program.
Lukashenko, 71, has been in power in Belarus since 1994 and has been a staunch supporter of Moscow since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kim has also tilted his foreign policy toward Moscow in recent years, portraying Pyongyang as part of a united front against Washington .
As of Thursday evening, North Korea’s state media had reported on Lukashenko’s arrival and the welcome ceremony but had not yet provided details of the summit talks or the signing of the treaty .
SOURCES / INPUTS
BelTA: Day of official talks between Belarus, DPRK: Here’s what to expect
TASS: Belarus, North Korea to sign treaty of friendship during Lukashenko’s visit to Pyongyang
Interfax: Belarus, North Korea sign friendship, cooperation treaty
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