North Korea proclaims 2015 a 'year of friendship' with Russia

published 11 March 2015

As North Korea and Russia mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, North Korea's official news agency announced the two countries will take their relationship to the next level as part of a "year of friendship." Specifically, the relationship will "focus on developing diplomatic, business, and cultural contacts and include joint cultural events in Moscow, Pyongyang and other cities," according to The Korea Herald, a South Korean English-language newspaper.

The announcement comes as ties between North Korea and China, who have been longtime allies, continue to disintegrate. Russia, meanwhile, has had to look eastward as many of its Western relations have spurned it due to the country's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.