North Korea has decided to introduce the Russian language as a compulsory subject starting from the fourth grade, a measure that marks a deepening of relations with Moscow.
Russian authorities claim that an increasing number of North Korean students are studying Russian, and the interest is mutual.
The announcement was made at the intergovernmental commission meeting in Moscow, where Alexander Kozlov, co-chair of the commission between the Russian Federation and North Korea, stated that approximately 600 North Korean students are currently learning the Russian language. According to him, Russian is among the top three most commonly chosen foreign languages for study in the country. Additionally, another 29 North Korean students have been accepted this year into geology programs in Russia.
Kozlov specified that the two states are expanding their educational cooperation in areas such as banking, energy, medical, and geology. Russia is also building an educational center in North Korea, which will offer courses in the Russian language at Kim Chol Ju Normal University.
The strengthening of relations comes against the backdrop of the strong bond between Moscow and Pyongyang following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has provided weapons to Russia and sent troops for support on the front line, as well as for demining operations in the temporarily occupied Kursk region by Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, coordinated cyber activities have intensified: the groups Gamaredon (Russia) and Lazarus (North Korea) have been observed cooperating and pooling their resources.
In August, a large number of Russian tourists arrived at North Korean resorts after Russian airlines introduced direct flights to Pyongyang, a sign of the accelerated opening between the two regimes.