State Security Boss Does Moscow
Col. Gen. Ri Chang Dae (Ri Ch’ang-tae) Minister of State Security (State Security Department [SSD] Director) visited Russia to attend the 13th annual meeting of High Ranking Security Officers (held 27-29 May) sponsored by the Russian Security Council. Ri met with Sergei Shoigu on 28 May. Shoigu announced additional visits to the DPRK by senior Russian officials to mark Liberation Day (15 August) and the anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (10 October). Ri Chang Dae also addressed the security officers’ meeting. According to KCNA, Col. Gen. Ri said:
In today’s international arena, universal principles of international relations are openly ignored by arbitrary and high-handed practices of specific forces. They lead to serious destruction of the global security environment and unabated vicious cycle of conflicts and clashes across the planet.
The U.S. passes unilateral judgment on other countries and imposes inter-camp confrontation in pursuit of hegemony and self-interests going against the aspirations of the international community. Such a policy of unilateralism and military supremacy are unchanging factors undermining the basis of international peace and security.
The DPRK’s stand on the hegemonic and confrontational policy of the U.S. and its followers is clear: We will never overlook any hostility threatening the DPRK’s sovereignty and dignity and endangering our people’s well-being. We will respond with righteous struggle and strong power.
The DPRK will continue to uphold the banner of independence, peace and friendship to develop neighborly and friendly relations with all countries aspiring after justice and independence. We are fully committed to building a fair multipolar world and ensuring international peace and security.
Ri Chang Dae’s visit to Russia was the first known trip outside the DPRK by the incumbent SSD boss since 2011 and the first publicized trip by the incumbent SSD boss since 2009.
Other than Shoigu, it is highly probable Col. Gen. Ri conducted other sideline meetings during his visit. Ri Chang De has been positioned as the senior principal of the North Korean Intelligence Community [NKIC], following lengthy meetings he conducted with SVR boss Sergei Naryshkin in March 2024. Ri’s visit last week probably included additional exchanges and interactions with Russian intelligence counterparts expanded to include Reconnaissance General Bureau [RGB] Director Col. Gen. Ri Chang Ho (Ri Ch’ang-ho), who is currently deployed to Russia.
Meanwhile, back in the home country. a Russian Ministry of the Interior delegation toured Pyongyang and held interactions with the Ministry of Public Security [MPS] and other DPRK law enforcement personnel. On 28 May, MPS Vice Minister Ri Song Chol (Ri So’ng-ch’o’l) met with Vice Minister of the Interior Vitalty Shulika to talk about “issues for expanding the exchange and cooperation between the security bodies of the two countries.” The Ri-Shulika meeting took place in a “friendly and comradely atmosphere.”
