North Korea–Russia relations

TheSoviet Union(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR, the predecessor state to the modernRussian Federation) was the first to recognizeNorth Korea(Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK) on October 12, 1948, shortly after the proclamation, as the sole legitimate authority in all ofKorea. The Soviet Union supported North Korea during theKorean War. North Korea was founded as part of theCommunist bloc, and received major Soviet military and political support.The comprehensivepersonality cultaround North Korea'sruling familywas heavily influenced byStalinism.Chinaand the Soviet Union competed for influence in North Korea during theSino-Soviet splitin the 1960s, as North Korea tried to maintain good relations with both countries.
Relations between the two countries continued after thedissolution of the Soviet Union.The relationship regained importance afterVladimir Putinwas electedPresident of Russiain 2000.Kim Jong Unalso accepted an invitation to visit Russia in mid-2015. The two statesshare a borderalong the lowerTumen River, which is 17 kilometers (11 mi) long and was formed in 1860 whenTsarAlexander IIacquiredUssurilandfromQing dynasty Chinain theConvention of Peking.
In 2022, North Korea became the third country (the second beingSyria) to recognise the independence of the breakaway states ofDonetskandLuhansk People's Republicsineastern Ukraine. In response to the recognition and support of Russia,Ukraineterminated diplomatic ties with North Korea.In September 2022, Russia reportedly purchased millions of shells and rockets from North Korea to aid in its invasion of Ukraine.In 2024, North Korea also sent workers to Russia which lacks workforce due to the war.
TheSoviet Unionhad provided much support to North Korea during theCold War.
Soviet troops invaded theJapanese colony of Koreain 1945; by the agreement with the U.S., the38th parallelwas the dividing line withMoscowin charge to the north andWashingtonto the South.
North Korea came under the control of theSoviet Civil AdministrationandPeople's Committee of North Koreafrom 1945 to 1948.
The Soviet 64th Fighter Aviation Corps took part in theKorean Warwhere they provided North Korea and China with badly needed pilots.
The 1961 DPRK-Soviet Union Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance underpinned cooperation during the Cold War.
Moscow underMikhail Gorbachevbegan to reduce aid to the North after 1985 in favor of reconciliation withSouth Korea. Military equipment continued to be provided until a last batch ofMiG-29swas delivered in 1989.Kim Il Sungvisited the USSR five times, with the last time being in 1986 during the early Gorbachev era. He also met with Soviet officials abroad, including with Soviet leaderLeonid Brezhnevduring thefuneralofYugoslavPresidentJosip Broz Titoin May 1980.
After thedissolution of the USSR, the newRussian governmentunderBoris Yeltsinrefused to provide support for North Korea, favoring South Korea instead.
The first meeting of the Inter-governmental Commission for Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation between Russia and DPRK was held in the spring of 1996 led by Deputy Premier Vitali Ignatenko. This was the highest-level meeting (at the deputy prime ministerial level) between Moscow and Pyongyang since the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the visit, the two countries agreed to restore bilateral trade and economic cooperation to its 1991 level. The two sides also agreed to restore bilateral inter-governmental commissions and to establish working-level bodies between North Korea and the Russian Far Eastern province for bilateral cooperation in science-technology, forestry, light industry, and transport. Ignatenko carried Yeltsin's personal message to Kim Jong Il. In the message, Yeltsin expressed his hopes for tension reduction on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's continuing observance of the Armistice Agreement. Kim Jong Il, expecting thatGennady Zyuganov, the General Secretary of theCommunist Party of the Russian Federation, would win the comingpresidential election in June–July 1996, did not even send a letter of reply, nor did he meet with the Russian delegation.
Since the mid-1990s, when it became apparent that South Korea would not become an important economic partner and that the DPRK was not collapsing, Russia generally followed a strategy of diplomatic 'equidistance' between North and South Korea.
Vladimir Putin's elevation toprime ministerin August 1999 and thenpresidentin March had critical significance forPyongyang, which attributed its previous grievances to Yeltsin's government.Kim Jong Il's references to Putin were to the effect that at last Russia had a leader "with whom to do business."However, intensive diplomatic work had to precede a historical breakthrough in Russia–DPRK relations. These efforts began to bear fruit in late 1998, and by March 1999, it became possible to agree completely on the text and the initial Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighborly Relations and Cooperation. It was signed in February 2000, after Yeltsin left the political arena.
Starting in April 2000, covert preparations for a visit by President Putin to Pyongyang began. The first summit meeting in the history of Russian-Korean relations took place in July 2000 when a Joint Declaration was signed, the first international document signed by Kim Jong Il asGeneral Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
In July 2006 Russia supportedUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1695, condemning the2006 North Korean missile test. In October 2006, Russia voted forResolution 1718imposing an embargo on technologies supporting missile and nuclear programs, as well as luxury goods. In June 2009, PresidentDmitry Medvedevsupported more intense sanctions and deployed aS-400 air defense systemto their border.
In April 2009, Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrovvisited North Korea and signed a plan withMun Jae-chol, acting chairman of the KoreanCommittee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countrieson 2009–2010 of cultural and scientific exchange.
After theNorth Korean nuclear test on 25 May 2009, North Korea's relations with China and Russia changed. Russia, fearing that North Korea's success could lead to a nuclear war, joinedChina,France,Japan,South Korea,United Kingdomand theUnited Statesin starting a resolution that could include new sanctions.TheRussian news agencieswere outraged when North Korea threatened to attack neighboring South Korea after it joined a U.S. led plan to check vessels suspected of carrying equipment for weapons of mass destruction. Another concern was that the nuclear test can be a threat to the security ofRussia's far east regionswhich border North Korea.South Korean presidentLee Myung-bakhad a phone conversation with Russian presidentDmitry Medvedev, where Medvedev told him that Russia would work withSeoulon a newU.N. Security Councilresolutionand to reviveinternational talkson the North Korean nuclear issue.
On 15 June 2009, China and Russia supported theUN sanctions on North Korea. However, the two countries stressed that they did not support the use of force.Permanent Representative of Russia to the United NationsVitaly Churkininsisted that any sanctions should be lifted once North Korea cooperates. Also, On 30 March 2010, President Dmitry Medvedev signed adecreeimplementing intensified United Nations Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang's nuclear programs. The presidential decree banned the purchase of weapons and relevant materials from the DPRK by government offices,enterprises,banks, organizations and individuals currently under Russia's jurisdiction. It also prohibited the transit ofweaponsand relevant materials via Russian territory or theirexportto the DPRK. Any financial aid and educational training that might facilitate North Korea's nuclear program andproliferationactivities were also forbidden.
In December 2010 the North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart, Lavrov, in what was seen as North Korea trying to control criticism about itsattack on South Korea's Yeonpyeong island. Lavrov told the North Korean official that Pyongyang's November 23 artillery strike on Yeonpyeong island "resulted in loss of life" and "deserves condemnation".
On October 18, 2011, Russian and North Korean officials marked the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in an event at theNorth Korean embassy in Moscow. The evening's event was attended by Russian Deputy Foreign MinisterAlexei Borodavkin.
A delegation of Russia'sFederal Air Transport Agency(Rosaviatsia) visited Pyongyang from December 12 to 14, 2011. On December 13 (Tuesday) Rosaviatsia director Neradiko Alexandr and Kang Ki-sop, director of General Bureau of Civil Aviation signed an agreement on civiliansearch and rescuebetween Russia and North Korea.
Following the North Korean announcement that it agreed to introduce amoratoriumon nuclear tests, long-rangemissilelaunches anduranium enrichment,Russia's foreign ministrysaid, "We welcome North Korea's decision to impose a moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and launching long-range ballistic missiles, and enriching uranium".
After Putin won the2012 Russian presidential election,Kim Jong Uncongratulated him, writing in a letter "I wish you achievement in your responsible work for building a powerful Russia", expressing belief that the traditional bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger.
In May 2012 Russia appointed Alexandr Timonin as the new ambassador to North Korea. The latter presented his credentials toKim Yong-namat theMansudae Assembly Hall.On June 27, 2012, during the visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the DPRK Kung Seok-ung to Moscow, Foreign Ministries of both countries have signed an inter-ministerial plan of exchanges on 2013–2014. On June 5, 2012, the two sides concluded a Boundary Treaty between the two states.
In September 2012 Russia agreed to write off 90% of North Korea's $11 billion historic debt to Russia as a sign of closer engagement with North Korea's new leader.The $1 billion North Korea has to repay will be used to finance Russian investment in humanitarian and energy projects in North Korea.This agreement removed legal blocks hindering the financing of trade between the two countries.In 2013, Russia supported both resolutions of the UN Security Council against North Korea for its missile and nuclear tests.
In February 2014, during the2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi,Krasnodar Krai, a delegation headed by Kim Yong-nam travelled to represent North Korea, even though the latter did not participate in these Olympics. Kim had a meeting with President Putin, and also met a number of Russian parliamentarians and state officials in Moscow en route to the Games in Sochi. These includedValentina Matvienkoand Ilyas Umakhanov of the Russian Federation Council,Mikhail Margelov, the chair of the International Affairs Committee of the same body, and Vice Foreign MinisterIgor Morgulov.Korean Central Television(KCTV) also introduced the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics on the day it took place, the 8th, focusing on the presence of Kim Yong-nam.
In April 2014, Russia wrote off 90% of North Korea's $11 billion of Soviet-era debt.
In October 2014, the new North Korean Foreign Minister,Ri Su-yong, made a ten-day visit to Russia.
In November 2014 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's special envoy,Choe Ryong-hae, made a seven-day visit to Russia. During his trip, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, delivering a letter to him from Kim Jong Un, and with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In April 2019, Kim travelled by armored train to Vladivostokto meet Putin.
In February 2022, Russialaunched an invasion of Ukraine. On 2 March, North Korea was one of the five countries to vote against aUnited Nations resolutioncondemning the invasion.
Following the footsteps of Russia, North Korea became the third country (the second beingSyria) to recognise the independence of the breakaway states ofDonetskandLuhansk People's RepublicsinEastern Ukraine. In response to the recognition,Ukraineterminateddiplomatic ties with North Korea.In August, theNew York Postreported that North Korea had offered 100,000 troops to helpDonbas,but the Russian foreign ministry said this speculation was "completely fake".
In September, theNew York Timesreported that Russia had purchased millions of shells and rockets from North Korea to support its invasion, citing U.S. intelligence officials,but Russia and North Korea both deny this.
Russian Deputy Prime MinisterMarat Khusnullinsaid they were "working on political arrangements" to employ North Korean workers in Russia, possibly 20,000 to 50,000 to develop the infrastructure in theRussian Far East.
In September 2023, Kim Jong Un visited Russiain his first foreign tripsince 2019(also to Russia). The meeting lasted over four hours at theVostochny Cosmodromein theAmur Oblast, and was described as underpinning how the two countries' interests are aligning. Putin is widely suspected to be seeking North Korea's large stockpiles of aging ammunition and rockets from theSoviet era. During the meeting, Kim once again gave his support for Russia’s “sacred fight” against the west, expressing his “...support for all the measures taken by the Russian government, and [he] takes this opportunity again to affirm that [he] will always be with Russia." When asked if Russia would help North Korea build satellites, presumably in return for ammunition, Putin said “that’s why [they] came here."Kim's trip to Russia was followed by a visit by Russian foreign ministerSergey Lavrovto Pyongyang in October, where he met with Kim.
In March 2024, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that otherwise received 13 supports and 1 abstention that would have renewed the mandate of thePanel of Expertsthat monitor sanctions compliance.In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time since 2000, arriving in Pyongyang in aIlyushin Il-96and meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Putin expressed appreciation for North Korea's support of Russia's military actions in Ukraine and emphasized their mutual opposition to Western ambitions, "to hinder the establishment of amultipolar worldorder based on justice, mutual respect for sovereignty, considering each other’s interests."North Korean leaderKim Jong Unexpressed "full support" for Russia's war in Ukraine and pledged stronger strategic ties with Moscow.The visit raised concerns about potential arms deals where North Korea could supply munitions to Russia in exchange for economic aid and technology to enhance itsnuclear weapons program. Putin also discussed developing trade and payment systems independent of Western control and expanding cooperation in tourism, culture, and education. The visit included several top Russian officials, and a number of agreements were signed, including theNorth Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.The partnership agreement pledged mutual aid and strengthening cooperation in security, trade, and cultural ties, including a mutual defence clause.This agreement signifies the closest Russia-North Korea relationship since the Soviet Union, with North Korea supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine and plans for military cooperation.
In June 2024 thePort of Najinand thePort of Dunaywere linked by a new shipping route because of theRussian invasion of Ukrainemade it profitable for North Korea to ship arms (chiefly artillery shells) to theAFRF.Shin Wonsik, Defense Minister of South Korea, alleged that staff at his ministry had detected "at least 10,000 shipping containers" shipped from North Korea to Russia.
In July 2024, a DPRK weapons system which includes theBulsae-4ATGMwas seen to destroy a British-suppliedAS-90self-propelled artillery system in theKharkivregion of Ukraine. According to at least one observer, "the identification of the first North Korean vehicle in Ukraine marked a turning point in Pyongyang's involvement in the conflict."It was alleged by another report that a non-monetary swap of DPRK guns for Russian food was seen to have occurred in July 2024.
After theKorean War, the Soviet Union emerged as the main trading partner and sponsor of North Korea. Ninety-three North Korean factories were built with Russian technical assistance, forging the country's heavy-industrial backbone.Soviet aid to the DPRK indeed expanded from 1965 to 1968, especially after Sino-North Korean relations soured during the ChineseCultural Revolution.
In 1988, at the peak of the bilateral relationship, about 60% of North Korea's trade was with the Soviet Union.Much of the trade was in raw materials and petroleum that Moscow provided to Pyongyang at concessional prices.
In response to the famine-stricken North Korea in the mid-1990s, Russia delivered humanitarian aid to North Korea twice in 1997: food and medicine worth 4.5 billion"old" rublesin the fall, and 370 tonnes of sugar, canned meat, fish and milk worth 3.5 billion rubles, in December.
In 2008, Russia delivered oil and food to North Korea in accordance with its obligations outlined at thesix-party talks.
In August 2011, ahead of Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia, the Kremlin said that it was providing food assistance including some 50,000 tons of wheat.A few days after Kim's visit the presidential envoy to Russia's Far East,Viktor Ishayev, said wheat deliveries would begin via the town border ofKhasanin September.
A week later a Russianeconomic delegation, led by Minister of Regional DevelopmentViktor Basargin, was in North Korea to sign "a protocol of the 5th Meeting of the North Korea-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology".Also on same day, the North Koreanpremier,Choe Yong-rim, met with the Russian economic delegation at theMansudae Assembly HallinPyongyang.
On 2 February 2012, theInterfaxreport further quoted the Russian ambassador to North Korea, Valery Sukhinin, as saying that Russia "did not rule out" the possibility of sending morehumanitarian aidto North Korea, "depending on the situation there and taking into account our capabilities". Sukhinin went on to say that in 2011 Russia had provided North Korea with 50,000 tonnes ofgrainon a bilateral basis, as well as with $5 million worth offlouras part of theWorld Food Programme. In addition, 10,000 tonnes ofgrainwere dispatched to North Korea byGazprom.
However, of the overall bilateral economic trade between Russia and North Korea, 80% consists of cooperation and investment between North Korean and Russian regional areas. The most active regions areSiberiaand the Far East, mainly theKemerovo,MagadanandPrimorskiregions.
In December 2013 Russia joined thesanctions against North Korea, introduced in March by theUN Security Council(Resolution 2087). The corresponding decree signed by President Putin specified that Russian companies were prohibited to provide North Korea any technical assistance and advice in the development and production of ballistic missiles. In addition, North Korean naval vessels to call at Russian ports would be required to undergo inspection. Also, the authorities ordered to be vigilant when dealing with North Korean diplomats.
In June 2014 Russia and North Korea have agreed to settlements in rubles in all trade between the two countries.The first transactions in rubles between Russia and North Korea were carried out in October 2014.
In March 2015, a Russian official said Moscow and Pyongyang have agreed to discuss the creation of advanced development zones (ru:территория опережающего развития) in Russia's Far East and North Korea.
In May 2016 theCentral Bank of Russiaordered allRussian banksto halt financial dealings with North Korean agencies, organizations and individuals on theUN Security Councilsanctions list. The move was in line with the United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in early March to penalize North Korea for itsfourth nuclear testand long-range missile launch and curb itsweapons of mass destruction program.
In August 2024 Russia sent 447goatsto North Korea. The goats will provide dairy products to local children to relieve North Korea’s food shortages.That was part of the agreement from the summit in June 2024, where they agreed to exchange weapons for food.
Kim Jong-un met with Russian Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov in Pyongyang to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, science, and technology. The meeting, part of the 11th intergovernmental cooperation committee, highlighted the growing ties between the two nations following a mutual defense pact signed in June 2024.
On 18 September 2012, North Korea and Russia signed a deal on debt owed by Pyongyang to Moscow. It is estimated that North Korea owed about $11 billion. North Korea's debt was established during the existence of the Soviet Union when the Soviets made loans to North Korea. The negotiations concerning debt reduction were held earlier in 2012, while the deal was signed in Moscow.
In 2011, it was reported that Russia would write off 90% of the North Korean debt and in return Russia would be allowed to invest in North Korean projects in the energy, health and education sectors, as reported in 2012. One of the major projects planned by Russia was to build a gas pipeline to energy-hungry South Korea through North Korea. The multi-billion-dollar project is, however, unlikely to be realized as North and South Korea are stillde jureat war.
On 5 May 2014, Russian PresidentVladimir Putinratifiedan agreement to write off 90% of North Korea's debts after theState Dumapassed the law on 18 April 2014 and theFederation Councilapproved it on 29 April 2014.
On April 26–28, 2001, North Korean Defense Minister Vice-MarshalKim Il-cholvisited Moscow, and a deal on bilateral cooperation in thedefense industryand military equipment was signed between him and Deputy Prime MinisterIlya Klebanov.During Kim's visit, the two governments also signed a so-called "framework of intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the military industry" and a deal between the two defense ministries.
In October 2002, a delegation from the DPRK'sMinistry of People's Armed Forces, headed by the Deputy Chief of the Ministry of People's Military Lee Men-su, visited Russia. At the beginning of November that year a delegation from theKorean People's Air Force, headed by its commander Oh Kum-chul, visited Russia.
In November 2015, the head of the Russian delegation to Pyongyang, Colonel GeneralNikolay Bogdanovsky, and the Vice Chief of the Korean People's ArmyO Kum-cholsigned an agreement on preventing dangerous military activities.
In September 2022, US intelligence said that Russia was buying millions of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea due to the sanctions caused byRussia's invasion of Ukraine.
In December 2022, a senior US official said he can "confirm" that Russia'sWagner Grouptook a delivery of an arms shipment from North Korea to help bolster Russian forces in Ukraine.
In January 2024, officials inKyivandWashington D.Csaid that Russia had begun using North Korean missiles in its attacks inUkraine.
On October 28, NATO stated thatNorth Korean troops have been sent to Russiaand North Korean military units have been deployed in the Kursk area.
In November 2024 Russia and North Korea have formalized a defense agreement committing each to support the other if attacked, strengthening their alliance as reports suggest North Korea may be supplying Russia with military aid amid the Ukraine conflict.
In March 1994 during the first North Korean nuclear crisis, Russia, emphasizing its position as a member of Northeast Asia, proposed the eight-party talks, which included participants from North and South Korea, Russia, the U.S., China, Japan, theIAEAand theUN Secretary General.
From 2003 onward both states participated in theSix-party talks.
In October 2006 Russia supportedUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1718condemningNorth Korea's nuclear test. As a result,  North Korea has been under to a UN armsembargosince it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, as part of Security Council resolutions - with the support of Russia, which holds veto power.
After North Koreadetonated another nuclear weaponon 25 May 2009 theRussian Foreign Ministryissued a sharp note of condemnation; The statement called the test a "violation" of previousSecurity Council resolutionsand a "serious blow" to the nuclearnonproliferationregime. It also complained that "the latest DPRK moves are provoking an escalation of tension in Northeast Asia."
North Korea under the third-generation leader Kim Jong Un continues todefythe international community in relation to itsnuclear and rocket programme.It has recently advised foreign embassies that the North Korean government could not guarantee their safety in an event of conflict and advised the foreign embassies to reconsider their evacuation plans.
In March 2016, following theJanuary 2016 North Korean nuclear test, Russia supported aU.N. Security Councilresolution regarding the introduction of further sanctions against North Korea. Russian presidential press secretaryDmitry Peskovsaid "the Kremlin is concerned over North Korea's statements about its readiness to use nuclear forces and urges all states to display restraint", in response to Kim Jong Un's orders to the military to deploy the nuclear warheads so they can be fired at "any moment" and be prepared to launch preemptive attacks against its enemies.
The border area is mostly plain, with few mountains. An important natural landmark is Lake Khasan, which was the location of theBattle of Lake Khasan. Other landmarks include Zaozyornaya Hill (Russian: сопка Заозёрная), and Gora Priozernaya (Russian: Гора Приозерная). On the Russian side stands a building called "Korean-Russian House of Friendship" (Russian: Дом корейско-российской дружбы).Furugelm Island, the southernmost point in Asian Russia, is located close to the maritime border.
According to a 2014BBCWorld Service Poll, 19% of Russians view North Korea's influence positively, with 37% expressing a negative view.