On December 6, 2025, Aleksandr Ivanovich Matsegora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, passed away suddenly at the age of 71. The editorial board of New Eastern Outlook expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and takes this opportunity to remember this wonderful man.

A truly inspiring path

Then, for several years, he was a researcher at the Institute of the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences (now the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences), where he proved himself as a scientist, researcher, and author of a number of important materials on the history and politics of the DPRK at that time. Rereading these texts now, one may observe his deep knowledge of the country and correct predictions. In addition, Aleksandr Matsegora contributed to the formation of the scientific school of Korean studies, both then and later, by nurturing scientific youth and encouraging their interest in studying North Korea, which differed significantly at that time.

In 1999, Aleksandr switched from scientific work to diplomatic work, initially working as a consul in Busan, where, defending the interests of his country, he worked tirelessly to dismantle the system of human trafficking from the CIS countries in the “dark” areas of Busan. Then he worked in the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as the Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in the DPRK from 2006 to 2011.

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