N. Korea's press committee signs media cooperation agreement with Russia

North Korea's committee for press affairs has signed a media cooperation agreement with Russia's communications and media ministry to strengthen collaboration, the North's state media reported Thursday.

Sin Hong-chol, North Korea's ambassador to Russia, signed the document with Bella Cherkesova, deputy minister of Russia's digital development, communications and mass media ministry, at the North Korean Embassy in Moscow on Tuesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

In a Facebook post, the Russian Embassy in North Korea described the agreement as outlining collaboration in the exchange of information between state and private media services, ensuring equal partnership in the mass media field, organizing mutual broadcasts and strengthening information ties.

"The agreement opens new opportunities for expanding partnership between Russia and North Korea, providing a foundation for deeper and mutually beneficial cooperation," the embassy said.

The agreement comes as the two countries have been aligning closely across various fields since the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June last year, which led to the deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia's war in Ukraine.

In October last year, the Russian ministry also signed a separate agreement with North Korea's information ministry on cooperation in information and digital development.