What's happened
North Korea has introduced Russian as a compulsory subject from 4th grade, amid growing ties with Russia. Over 600 students study Russian, and the countries are deepening military and educational cooperation since 2022, including North Korea sending troops to support Russia's Ukraine war.
What's behind the headline?
The introduction of Russian in North Korean schools signals a strategic pivot towards Moscow, emphasizing ideological alignment and military cooperation. This move likely aims to bolster North Korea's international standing and secure economic and military support amid sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fact that over 600 North Koreans study Russian and thousands of Russian students learn Korean underscores a deliberate effort to deepen cultural and political ties. The timing suggests that Pyongyang and Moscow are consolidating their alliance as a counterbalance to Western influence, with military support from North Korea playing a key role in Russia's Ukraine conflict. This educational shift also indicates a long-term plan to embed Russian language and culture within North Korea, potentially shaping future generations' worldview and diplomatic stance. The broader consequence is a realignment of regional power dynamics, with North Korea and Russia forming a more explicit axis of cooperation, challenging Western-led efforts to isolate them.
What the papers say
The reports from NY Post, The Moscow Times, and Politico all confirm the recent expansion of Russian language education in North Korea, with Kozlov emphasizing the popularity of Russian among North Korean students. While the NY Post highlights the military cooperation, The Moscow Times and Politico focus on the educational and diplomatic ties. Notably, Kozlov's statements are consistent across sources, indicating a coordinated messaging effort. The articles collectively suggest that this educational policy is part of a broader geopolitical strategy, with North Korea and Russia solidifying their alliance through military, diplomatic, and cultural channels. The timing of these developments, amid ongoing tensions with the West, underscores their intent to present a united front and challenge Western influence in the region.
How we got here
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened their alliance, signing a mutual defense pact and increasing military cooperation. North Korea has also sought closer educational ties, with Russian language programs expanding and North Korean students studying in Russia, reflecting their shared geopolitical interests and mutual isolation from the West.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Is North Korea Making Russian a Mandatory Subject?
North Korea's recent decision to make Russian a compulsory subject from 4th grade reflects its deepening alliance with Russia. This move raises questions about the broader geopolitical implications, including military cooperation and diplomatic ties. Why is North Korea prioritizing Russian language education, and what does it mean for global politics? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this development.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Alexander Alexandrovich Kozlov is the Russian politician who serves as the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia since 10 November 2020.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.