North Korea and Russia Sign Protocol to Enhance Sports Exchanges for 2024.

Pyongyang: North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol aimed at enhancing sports exchanges for the upcoming year, as reported by North Korea's state media on Monday. This agreement marks another step in the growing cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors.According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Il-guk, North Korea's Minister of Physical Culture and Sports, and Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev formalized the agreement during a meeting in Pyongyang. Although the specific details of the protocol have not been revealed, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) indicated that the discussions between Kim and Degtyarev focused on expanding and strengthening collaboration within the sports sectors of both countries.The Russian Embassy in North Korea had previously announced Degtyarev's visit through a Facebook post last Friday. The post highlighted that the agreement would cover joint sports events, the development of expert workforces, and sports tourism. This sports protocol follows the signing of a "strategic partnership treaty" in June, which has already seen North Korea and Russia expand cooperation in military, economic, and sports sectors.Koo Byoung-sam, a spokesperson for South Korea's unification ministry, expressed concerns regarding the North Korea-Russia partnership. He emphasized that their military and economic cooperation breaches multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions, urging both countries to cease such activities immediately. "We call for compliance with UNSC resolutions and once again urge an immediate halt to any illegal exchanges," Koo stated during a press briefing.In the wake of the treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, it was revealed that North Korea deployed thousands of troops to Russia to support its conflict with Ukraine. Additionally, North Korea has supplied Russia with weapons, including rocket launchers and artillery systems. Experts warn that the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia may enable Pyongyang to circumv ent international sanctions by obtaining benefits from Moscow.