Russia and North Korea declare new alliance and 2015 as a 'year of friendship'
Growing alliance to develop diplomatic, cultural and particularly business contacts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korea and Russia have declared a “year of friendship” for 2015, according to state media reports from Kim Jong-un’s secretive communist state.
The leader was already due to visit Moscow in May as part of Second World War 70th-anniversary commemorations, in plans confirmed by the Kremlin.
And after selecting Russia for his first official foreign visit since taking over the post from Kim Jong-il, the North Korean leader appears to have now earmarked the nation for a more lasting diplomatic collaboration.
According to the South Korean newspaper The Korea Herald, the North’s official news agency KNCA said in a dispatch that the endeavour will be focussed on developing diplomatic, business and cultural contacts.
It comes as North Korea’s relationship with long-term ally China wanes, and with Russian relations with the West deteriorating seemingly by the day.
Pyongyang’s announcement will primarily by seen as Russians as good economic news, the Telegraph reported.
Moscow cancelled the vast bulk of North Korea’s $11 billion debt last year and Russian investors have agreed to around $25 billion of investment in its new ally’s railway system and infrastructure, the newspaper said.
As with many announcements, Kim’s comes with a precedent in the form of his father Kim Jong-il. His predecessor visited Russia in August 2011 in an armoured train for a rare meeting with then-president Dmitry Medvedev.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments