Russia and North Korea announce that they will combat “disinformation” together and have signed a joint agreement
North Korea's official KCNA news agency and Russia's official TASS news agency have agreed to jointly combat what they call “disinformation” spread by their “numerous enemies,” the latter said on Tuesday, marking a new step in deepening relations between the two countries, AFP and Agerpres report.
Western governments have long accused Russia of spreading disinformation online and in traditional media, and both countries rank among the bottom in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.
North Korea has also sent ground troops and weapons systems to support Russia's war effort, while Moscow provides financial aid, military technology, food and energy to Pyongyang in return.
“The courage and willingness to sacrifice shown today by the soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army are already etched in modern history,” Andrei Kondrasov, director general of TASS, said in Pyongyang.
“Everyone understands that today we are fighting together against modern Nazism,” he added.
Russian official says “many” will be unhappy with deal with North Koreans
The English account also quotes him as saying that “many enemies do not agree with this, and that is why campaigns against Russia and North Korea have been launched to spread false information.”
The cooperation agreement between the agencies, signed on March 28, refers to “joint actions to combat disinformation, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” the Russian news agency said.
“The agreement (…) is based not only on a long-standing friendship, but also takes into account the completely new realities of the information war taking place on our planet today,” Kondrasov said.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui received Kondrasov and his delegation, KCNA reported on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the agency indicated that the agreement covers “exchanges of press articles” and a “cooperation”, without giving details.
North Korea ranks penultimate in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index. Russia ranks 171 out of 180 and “strictly bans independent journalism,” according to the NGO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last visited North Korea in 2024, while Kim Jong Un's most recent trip to Russia was in 2023. Analysts say improved relations have allowed North Korea to reduce its reliance on its traditional supporter China.
