President's visit to North Korea: new strategic alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang

On June 18–19, 2024, the Russian president made a rare visit to North Korea—his first trip to that country in more than twenty years. Results of the visit: an agreement on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” was signed, providing for expanded cooperation in the military-technical, economic and energy spheres. This step became a signal of a foreign policy maneuver: against the backdrop of international isolation and sanctions, Russia is looking for new allies outside traditional Western alliances. The partnership with Pyongyang is causing concern in a number of countries, given North Korea's reputation and military programs. In Russia itself, the reaction was mixed. Some experts perceived the visit as a pragmatic attempt to expand geopolitical and economic horizons. Others are like increased dependence on closed, repressive regimes, and a cause for concern: if the alliance with the DPRK grows, repressive methods, technologies, and intelligence may increase within the country. June 2024, therefore, became the month when Moscow again showed that it is not afraid to look for new partners in the international arena - even if this causes international concern, it is perceived within the country as a strategic necessity.