North Korea and Russia Sign Agreement for Joint Media Cooperation Against Disinformation

North Korea’s state news agency and Russia’s TASS agency have signed an updated cooperation agreement to jointly counter what they describe as disinformation from their “many enemies,” the outlets reported Tuesday. The move underscores deepening ties between the two nations, which have faced longstanding accusations from Western governments of spreading false information both online and in traditional media.

According to TASS, the agreement, signed on March 28, establishes “joint counteraction to disinformation on both a bilateral and multilateral basis.” TASS director general Andrey Kondrashov, visiting Pyongyang, emphasized that the deal reflects not only “long-term friendship” but also the “completely new realities of today’s information war that is taking place on our planet.”

Kondrashov praised the Korean People’s Army for its “courage and willingness for self-sacrifice,” calling it part of modern history, and stated that Russia and North Korea are jointly fighting what he described as “modern Nazism.” He further suggested that “many enemies” have launched information campaigns against the two nations, although he did not provide direct evidence for the claims. North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, welcomed Kondrashov and his delegation, confirming that the agreement would involve “exchanges of news articles” and “cooperation” without providing additional specifics.

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The new pact comes amid broader military and economic cooperation between the two countries. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops and munitions to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, while Moscow has supplied financial aid, military technology, food, and energy in return. South Korean authorities estimate that approximately 2,000 North Korean troops, believed to have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, were killed during a Ukrainian incursion in 2024.

The media environment in both countries remains highly restricted. In the 2025 press freedom index from Reporters Without Borders, North Korea ranked second-to-last, and Russia was 171 out of 180 countries. The watchdog noted that the North Korean regime “strictly prohibits independent journalism,” and Russia has faced repeated criticism for state control over media narratives.

Analysts say strengthened ties with Russia allow North Korea to reduce its reliance on China, its traditional main ally. The agreement between the two news agencies represents a continuation of this strategic partnership, which includes high-level diplomatic visits: Russian President Vladimir Putin last visited North Korea in 2024, while Kim Jong Un’s most recent trip to Russia took place a year earlier.

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