Twelve months after the leaders of the two countries at the magnificent ceremony in Pyongyang Concluded a new strategic partnershipA deeper trade cooperation arises between them.
In Russian supermarkets, the DPRK apples appeared. In recent months, the North Korean fishing vessels have flooded the waters off the coast of the Far East of Russia. North Korean manufacturers of products – from jam and sausages to beer and accordion – registered trademarks in the Federal Intellectual Property Service of Russia.
Russia is building a car bridge over the Mistine River along the land border of the two countries worth $ 100 million, as well as plans to resume a railway message with a length of 10 thousand km between the capitals of the two countries. There are active visits in the framework of scientific and sports cooperation.
The expert on North Korea from the University of Kukmin in Seoul, Andrei Lankov, said that earlier both countries have undermined the scale of their military cooperation, but now they want to show the world that their relationship is built for many years.
According to the researcher at the analytical center of the Sedzhon Institute, Peter Ward, the patronage of Moscow may have a transforming influence on the economy of North Korea, in particular, reviving the mining and agricultural sectors of the country.
Last year, Pyongyang confirmed his commitment to closer ties, providing the Kremlin with the necessary ammunition and manpower, including sending near military personnel to support Russian troops in the war against Ukraine. According to the recent report of the South Korean military intelligence, since October Pyongyang also put 12 million shells to Russia and probably send additional troops there this summer, the newspaper writes. This deployment, according to experts, brought the Kim Jong -un billion dollars in the form of money transfers, natural payments and technology transfer.
At the same time, Ward believes that, judging by the past behavior of Penyan, the DPRK will waste Russian money. Although some of this money will be spent on improving the living conditions of some citizens, a significant part will probably be wasted on prestigious projects, such as the construction of skyscrapers in Pyongyang and other privileges for the elite, he said.
According to analysts, in addition to trade ties, the partnership of the two countries will provide both Moscow and Pyongyang more opportunities to withstand the diplomatic pressure of the West even after the fighting in Ukraine has subsided. Ward notes that DBy the reserve of artillery shells and ballistic missiles of Pyongyang, the Russian Federation will still be useful to the Russian Federation as a means of intimidation of Ukraine and other countries, giving Russia additional levers of influence in future negotiations.
Context
In 2022, when the full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation to Ukraine began, the DPRK began to supply the Russian Federation weapons.
In 2024, Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement providing for mutual military assistance in case of aggression. Since October 2024, North Korean troops have been participating in the war against Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation. According to the Ukrainian side, 12 thousand military arrived from the DPRK, at the beginning of the year 3.8 thousand of them were killed or wounded.
The head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, said that during 2025 Pyongyang plans to transfer at least 150 KN-23 ballistic missiles, as well as artillery shells, howitzers and MLRS.
Reuters sources in Ukrainian intelligence said that without The help of the DPRK of the Russian Federation would not be able to wage war against Ukraine as actively as it is now.
