North Korea will introduce the Russian language as a mandatory subject in schools

North Korea has decided to introduce the Russian language as a mandatory subject in schools starting from the fourth grade, according to statements by Alexander Kozlov, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. Currently, approximately 600 people in North Korea are studying the Russian language, making it one of the most popular languages in the country. In Russia, 3,000 students and 300 university students are studying Korean. Last year, 96 North Korean citizens were accepted into Russian universities, including MGIMO, and 29 have enrolled in geology courses this year. The two countries collaborate in education and in sectors such as banking, energy, medicine, and geology.

Russia is building a center in North Korea for education in the Russian language at Kim Chol Ju Normal University. The strong traditional relations between Russia and North Korea have intensified after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with North Korea supplying weapons to Russia and sending troops to the front. Cybercrime groups from both countries have also begun to collaborate. In August 2025, Russian tourists started visiting resorts in North Korea, coinciding with the launch of direct flights to Pyongyang.