Overview
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Matsegora died on Dec. 6, 2025, and did not disclose the cause.
- Kim Jong Un sent a personal message to Vladimir Putin calling the envoy’s death a sudden demise and a great loss, according to KCNA.
- North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu issued condolences, praising Matsegora’s contributions and patriotism.
- Matsegora spent decades on Korean affairs and served as ambassador since 2014, receiving the Order of Friendship (2018) and the Order of Alexander Nevsky (2024).
- Moscow credited him with helping forge a comprehensive strategic partnership following Putin’s 2024 Pyongyang visit; media report Pyongyang has provided troops and weapons to Russia, and no successor has been named.