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Russia and North Korea Open a New War Front—This Time in the Media
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Russia and North Korea have agreed to expand cooperation between their state media outlets in what they describe as a joint effort to counter “disinformation,” signaling a deeper alignment between the two countries across both military and information domains.
The agreement, reported on March 31 by The Times, brings together Russia’s TASS news agency and North Korea’s KCNA under a new framework aimed at coordinating responses to what both sides claim are hostile information campaigns.
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The deal comes as both governments face revelations from Western countries of spreading misleading narratives through both digital platforms and traditional media.
The new agreement, signed on March 28, includes provisions for “joint counteraction to disinformation on both a bilateral and multilateral basis,” according to TASS.
It also reportedly covers closer coordination in news production and information sharing, although specific operational details remain unclear.
“This agreement is based not only on long-term friendship, but also takes into account the completely new realities of today’s information war that is taking place on our planet,” said TASS Director General Andrei Kondrashov during a visit to Pyongyang.
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The media partnership reflects a broader and increasingly visible alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
North Korea has supplied troops and ammunition to support Russian operations, while Moscow has reportedly provided financial assistance, food, energy, and military technology in return.
“The courage and willingness for self-sacrifice that both soldiers and officers of the Korean People’s Army demonstrate today are already inscribed in modern history,” Kondrashov said.
“Everyone understands that today we are fighting modern Nazism together,” he added.
He also suggested that coordinated information campaigns are a response to external pressure, noting that both countries face opposition from “many enemies,” which he claimed has led to efforts to spread false narratives about them.
The agreement is likely to draw further scrutiny given both countries’ records on media freedom.
Reporters Without Borders ranked North Korea second-to-last in its 2025 press freedom index, citing strict state control and a total ban on independent journalism. Russia was ranked 171st out of 180 countries, reflecting tight restrictions on media and widespread censorship.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met with Kondrashov and his delegation in Pyongyang, according to KCNA, as both sides signaled their intent to deepen cooperation.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised to erect a monument to North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.
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