Russia and North Korea

[phkrause]

Russia-North Korea pact could dent China’s influence, but Beijing still holds sway over both

BEIJING (AP) — With no obvious options, China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states.

https://apnews.com/article/china-north-korea-russia-defense-agreement-3998a978ed89fd42b6da654ab1572873?

[phkrause]

North Korea ratifies major defense treaty with Russia

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea ratified a major defense treaty with Russia stipulating mutual military aid, the North’s state media reported Tuesday, as the U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-059d73e4c3492c19b555476b2fb45ca9?

[phkrause]

Yaks, bears and cockatoos are among the animals Russia is sending to North Korean zoo

Russia has sent a gift of more than 70 animals to North Korea for the Pyongyang Zoo, including bears, yaks, ducks and cockatoos.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-north-korea-pyongyang-zoo-putin-aeec989bcfa735ad477e5d0903686fdb?

[phkrause]

About 4,700 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded fighting for Russia, South Korea says

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — An estimated 4,700 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russia against Ukrainian forces, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-casualties-troops-cf71c682b57863e4e5207d2c86295738?

[phkrause]

North Korea plans to send military construction workers and deminers to Russia

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea will send thousands of military construction workers and deminers to support reconstruction work in Russia’s Kursk region, a top Russian official said Tuesday, the latest sign of expanding cooperation between the nations.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-north-korea-kim-shoigu-ukraine-putin-559e604356bdd6976a7cb6dd159663e3?

[phkrause]

Russia and North Korea open the first road link across shared border

Russia and North Korea opened the first road bridge across their shared border on Monday, a development Russian officials hailed as boosting the nations' deepening ties. Read More.   Russia-North Korea Road Link Russia and North Korea opened the first road bridge across their shared border yesterday. The new link over the Tumen River comes as the countries have expanded a strategic partnership amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (scroll for map).  The two-lane bridge is 0.6 miles long and will allow up to 300 vehicles to cross per day, beginning with cargo trucks. The countries agreed to the construction during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to North Korea in 2024. Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also signed a defense pact that year requiring each country to provide military assistance if the other is attacked. North Korea has supplied Russia with ammunition, missiles, and thousands of troops for the war in Ukraine.  The bridge adds a third form of transport between the countries, joining existing air and rail routes. Direct flights offer rare travel opportunities to Russian tourists, including access to a North Korean beach resort (see inside, via YouTube).