Belarus’s leader makes first visit to North Korea in bid to deepen ties

Mar 25, 2026 · 619 words · By Al Jazeera Staff

📰 Original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/25/belaruss-lukashenko-makes-first-visit-t…

Analysis Summary

Propaganda Score: 0% (confidence: 95%)
Summary: The article reports on Belarusian President Lukashenko's visit to North Korea to strengthen bilateral ties, citing shared support for Russia's war in Ukraine and accusations of authoritarianism. It details planned agreements, historical meetings, and geopolitical context including sanctions and military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Fact-Check Results

“Belarus’s Lukashenko makes first visit to North Korea in bid to deepen ties”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Belarusian President Lukashenko's visit to North Korea

“Belarus and North Korea are expected to sign a treaty of friendship as their leaders meet in Pyongyang”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute planned treaty of friendship between Belarus and North Korea

“Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has begun his first official visit to North Korea, in a bid to strengthen ties between the two countries united by their support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and accusations of authoritarianism and rights violations”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Lukashenko's visit objectives related to Ukraine and authoritarianism

“Belarusian state news agency Belta said the two-day visit that kicked off on Wednesday aimed to 'identify key areas of mutual interest and the most promising projects for implementation'”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute details about the two-day visit's objectives

“Lukashenko was quoted by Belta as saying 'the time has come to step up relations'. 'The current situation is simply pushing us into each other’s arms,' he added”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Lukashenko's quoted statements about strengthening relations

“The Belarusian president said they planned to sign a 'treaty of friendship' and 'about 10 agreements' during the visit”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute plans to sign a treaty of friendship and agreements

“Kim Jong Un and Lukashenko met in September in Beijing when they attended a military parade at Tiananmen Square, where the North Korean leader reportedly extended an invitation”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute the September 2023 meeting in Beijing

“In a letter to Lukashenko earlier this month, Kim said he was 'willing to expand and develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation … to a new, higher stage in line with the demands of the new era', the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Kim Jong Un's letter about expanding relations

“The Belarusian leader, in return, said that, 'Minsk affirms it has an interest in actively expanding political and economic ties with Pyongyang at all levels'”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Belarus' stated interest in expanding ties with North Korea

“North Korea has been under Western sanctions, mostly due to its nuclear weapons programme and missile activity, but also because of its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute North Korea's sanctions status and reasons

“Analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies from Russia in return. This has enabled Pyongyang to lessen dependence on its main long-term backer, China”

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“Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in 2024 for the first time in 24 years and promised to support Pyongyang in defending its interests against what he called 'US pressure, blackmail and military threats'”

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“But Belarus still holds hundreds of political prisoners, many of whom were arrested following the 2020 election, which opposition groups consider a sham”

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“Belarus has also moved deeper into Russia’s orbit, after serving as a launchpad for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022”

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“During Putin’s trip, North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defence agreement under which the two countries were obliged to provide military assistance if the other was attacked”

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“South Korean and Western intelligence agencies estimated that the North has sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, primarily to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles and rocket systems”

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“Lukashenko has come down hard on any dissent inside the country during his three decades in power”

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“Minsk released dozens of prisoners, including 250 in recent months, largely due to US efforts”

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“International rights organisations accuse the North Korean regime of torture, public executions, prison camps, forced labour and restrictions to the freedom of expression and movement”

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“US President Donald Trump has sought to build ties with Belarus in his second term, easing sanctions and welcoming it to his 'Board of Peace'”

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