Relations between Russia and the DPRK in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2021)

Abstract

The article examines main directions of the Russian-North Korean cooperation in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020–2021. The summit of the Russian and North Korean leaders in 2019 created expectations for expanded bilateral cooperation in the areas not prohibited by the UN Security Council resolutions. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the DPRK has severely limited contacts with the outside world since January 2020. Transport links with other countries were suspended, foreigners were prohibited from entering the country, and export and import operations were broken off. By April 2021 most of the foreign diplomats and all foreign employees of international humanitarian organizations had left the DPRK. Nevertheless, Russia retained its presence in North Korea and continued to provide humanitarian assistance to that country. Petroleum products supplies from Russia continued until August 2020. Bilateral trade in 2020 decreased by 11% compared to 2019. The mutual exchange of delegations in 2020 was frozen, however, regular contacts of diplomats with the local authorities continued both in Pyongyang and in Moscow. A new educational project was launched in 2021. During online sessions researches from leading Russian universities deliver lectures to teachers and researchers from the North Korean institutes. Thus, the two countries are trying to maintain contacts and develop cooperation even in the current tough conditions.