The Cuban special envoy, on behalf of Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz, visited Pyongyang and met with the North Korean government’s highest officials on Tuesday 28/6.
The meeting took place about three weeks after the South Korean foreign minister visited Havana to discuss possible diplomatic “normalization”. Seoul and Havana’s diplomatic relations were ceased after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. “Expressing a belief that the current visit would serve as a significant occasion for further developing the traditional relations of friendship … Cuba would develop the relations with the fraternal Korean people in the future,” wrote the Rodong Sinmun, quoting Ri Su Yong, the vice-chairman of the Central Committee of Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
Salvador Antonio Valdes Mesa, member of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Central Committee from the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) was greeted by Choe Ryong Hae, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK, and later given a reception by Ri Su Yong and the vice department director of the Central Committee, the vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, the vice-minister of External Economic Relations among others.
This is the second time in just over a month that two countries’ delegates have met, as North Korean representatives, headed by vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK Kim Yong Chol, went to Havana on May 24 and to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz.
South Korea has been increasing its efforts to befriend Cuba, with its foreign minister Yun Byung-se telling the Cuban foreign minister three weeks ago that “Havana’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Seoul will not result in losing Pyongyang, but gaining a new friend called Seoul,” Asiae wrote.
Chung Young-chul, a professor from Sogang University told NK News, that Cuba – which only recently normalized its relationship with the U.S. (see the previous article: Cuba raises the head) – is on a path to enhance its existing ties with traditional allies while opening doors to new friends. “Cuba is one of few countries that South Korea does not have diplomatic relations with, and it would be matter of time for Seoul and Havana to establish them,” Chung said. “Remember that this Cuban envoy visited Beijing first and then Pyongyang, the two traditional allies they have in Asia. While Pyongyang would most likely not oppose Havana’s closer ties with Seoul, it would do its best to enhance its existing relations, such as shown in this recent meeting attended by high officials,” Chung added.
It has not been reported whether the Cuban envoy will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as happened last year.
Kim Jong Un’s meeting with Cuba delegation, September 2015
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had personally met with a state delegation from Cuba last September 2015, in a rare meeting with an official representative from a foreign government.
Since succeeding his father Kim Jong Il as Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in December 2011, Kim Jong Un has not traveled abroad, and has been know to snub important visitors, such as Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj in fall 2013, Google chairman Eric Schmidt in early 2013, and most recently South Korea’s former first lady Lee Hee-ho in August. Kim did meet multiple times with American basketball player Dennis Rodman, but Rodman was in North Korea only as a private citizen and was not there on behalf of the United States government. He had instead meeting with the italian senator Antonio Razzi, special friend of North Korea and its people.
Important officials, including official delegations, instead frequently meet Kim Yong Nam – the nominal North Korean head-of-state – and Premier Pak Pong Ju. Despite the North’s long alliance with China, Kim Jong Un as yet to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, either in China or North Korea, since Xi took office.
Kim did, however, meet Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in July 2013.
The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that, during Kim’s meeting with the Cuba delegatin, Kim made reference to celebrating the 55th anniversary of DPRK-Cuba relations and asked for Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the leader of the delegation, to pass his regards to Fidel and Raul Castro. The Rodong also said that the meeting was attended by Kim Yang Gon, director of the WPK United Front Department.
Kim also said the fact that the Cuban delegation came and visited the DPRK just a month before the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (October 10) reflects the support that Fidel and Raul Castro have for the military and people of the DPRK.
Both Kim and the leader of the Cuban delegation spoke of the brotherhood and strong relations between North Korea and Cuba. This comes not long after a recent thawing of relations between Cuba and the United States, North Korea’s greatest rival.
The fact that Cuba, long an ally of Pyongyang, was willing to send an official delegation to North Korea even after a rapprochement with the U.S. may be the reason Kim personally met with their delegation. Cuba has previously indicated that the rapprochement with the U.S. would not impact their other foreign relations, including those with North Korea. The North Korean regime appears to be working to maintain strong ties with Cuba despite the change in U.S.-Cuba relations.
Following the meeting, Kim and the Cuban delegation attended a concert by the Moranbong Band. Other North Korean officials accompanying Kim included Hwang Pyong So, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Yang Gon, Ri Su Yong and Kim Kye Gwan.
The Cuban state delegation arrived in Pyongyang the first week of September 2015, and was headed by Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.
Prior to meeting with Kim Jong Un, the delegation met with several other North Korean officials at various times and places including President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju, Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong and Vice Minister of External Economic Relations Ri Kwang Gun, among others.
The Cuban state delegation visited several locations including Mansudae, where they paid tribute to statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, Mangyongdae, the birthplace of North Korean founding leader Kim Il Sung, and the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery. The delegation even held their own reception, which was attended by many of the North Korean officials whom they had met with previously.
Sources: Cuban special envoy meets N.Korea’s highest officials
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