- The official, who was on an official visit and staying at the North Korean embassy in Moscow, was found dead in the pond.
- The incident occurred during a record number of high-level visits between Pyongyang and Moscow in the past year.
- The incident occurred amid a record number of high-level visits between Pyongyang and Moscow.
According to the BAZA news outlet, which frequently reports information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, the official named Kim Geum Chol died on July 11 in a public swimming pond in Zelenograd, a city located approximately 37 km (23 miles) northwest of Moscow.
Earlier this month, North Korea's state KCNA news agency reported that a North Korean elite military training delegation, led by Kim Geum Chol, departed for Russia on July 8. This marked the first military exchange between the two countries since their leaders signed a pact pledging closer military cooperation. KCNA described Kim Geum Chol as the president of the Kim Il Sung Military University. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, attended the military academy after studying in Switzerland while being groomed as the country’s third leader.
On Wednesday, the North Korean embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request to confirm Kim’s death and identity. Moscow police, who have not publicly commented on the incident, were investigating the circumstances, as reported separately by the SHOT Telegram channel.
Both BAZA and SHOT described the deceased man as having been on an official visit and staying at the North Korean embassy in Moscow. Neither mentioned any military education links, only stating that he had worked in the agriculture sector.
BAZA reported that Kim, accompanied by an interpreter, traveled to the Bolshoi Gorodskoi (Big City) pond in Zelenograd to cool off from the scorching summer heat. Both BAZA and SHOT stated that the interpreter lost sight of Kim after he went swimming and contacted the police. Kim's body was found floating in the pond the next day. Both outlets stated his age as 64. The incident occurred amid a record number of high-level visits between Pyongyang and Moscow in the past year, culminating in President Vladimir Putin’s first trip to North Korea in 24 years.
Officials in Seoul and Washington expressed concern over the military ties between the two countries, citing evidence of weapons shipments by North Korea to Russia for use against Ukraine. Pyongyang and Moscow deny these transactions.
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