North Korea and Russia forge a new path in economic cooperation
North Korean state media confirmed that North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol to expand economic cooperation. This marks another step in strengthening their relations.
8:14 AM EST, November 21, 2024
Representatives from North Korea and Russia signed a protocol concerning the expansion of economic cooperation, which was announced by North Korean state media.
The document was signed in Pyongyang, with North Korea's Minister of External Economic Relations, Jun Jong Ho, and Russia's Minister of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, participating in the ceremony.
The KCNA agency did not provide detailed information about the agreements.
Russian media reports only mention that, as part of the agreement, the countries plan to increase the number of direct charter flights. Currently, the only air route connects Vladivostok to Pyongyang. From January to September 2024, 5,000 tourists traveled between these cities, with over 70 percent opting for air transportation.
Strengthening relations
In recent years, Pyongyang and Moscow have intensified diplomatic and economic contacts, especially following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In June 2024, Vladimir Putin visited North Korea, where he signed a mutual defense pact with Kim Jong Un.
According to South Korean and U.S. intelligence, over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting in Russia against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Pyongyang also supplies Moscow with conventional weapons, including missiles and artillery systems.
