Pyongyang: North Korea and Russia have formalized an agreement to expand their cooperation in various sectors, following a meeting of their Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science, and Technology held in Pyongyang. This development was reported by North Korea's state media on Thursday.According to Yonhap News Agency, the protocol was signed on Wednesday by North Korea's External Economic Relations Minister Yun Jong-ho and Russia's Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov. This agreement signifies a step forward in the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow, which also includes military cooperation. While the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not reveal specific details of the agreement, Russia's TASS news agency reported that the two nations have agreed to increase the number of charter flights as part of the deal.The new protocol includes plans to organize direct flights from Russia's major cities and its eastern regions to North Korea, expanding beyond the current route between Vladivostok and Pyongyang. This move is expected to enhance connectivity and bolster economic ties between the two countries.During his visit to Pyongyang, Minister Kozlov was warmly received by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, marking the first meeting between a North Korean leader and a Russian head of the intergovernmental committee. Kozlov's visit concluded with a meeting with North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun before his departure to Russia.Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States have reported that North Korean troops are actively engaged in combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine in the western border region of Kursk. This comes in the wake of a new partnership treaty signed by Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, which includes a mutual defense clause between the two nations.
- October 12, 2026
