North Korea Mandates Russian Language in Schools Amid Strengthened Ties with Moscow

Authorities in North Korea have made the study of the Russian language compulsory for students starting in elementary school, as reported by a senior Russian official on Thursday. This development comes amid the two nations enhancing their relationship while facing similar isolation from Western countries.

«I am aware that Russian has been incorporated as a required subject in DPRK schools from the fourth grade onward,» stated Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. He was referring to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea’s formal name.

Kozlov, who is also a member of the intergovernmental commission formed by Moscow and Pyongyang, mentioned that Russian is one of the most sought-after foreign languages in North Korea, with approximately 600 students currently enrolled in its programs.

Additionally, he noted that 96 North Korean students registered at Russian universities during the last academic year.

There has been no immediate confirmation from North Korean officials regarding Kozlov’s statements, nor details about when these mandatory lessons will commence.

Last week, Russia’s Embassy in Pyongyang indicated that it is actively supporting Russian language education for North Korean university students.

The embassy also mentioned that two instructors from the Pushkin Institute have been in Pyongyang for one month, participating in a two-month program that includes Russian language and cultural classes for around 250 students.

Furthermore, Kozlov reported that over 3,000 Russian schoolchildren are studying Korean as either a second or third language, with about 300 university students currently learning it.

In the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, North Korea and Russia have been working to strengthen their ties.

Last year, President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un formalized a mutual defense agreement, while Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to assist the Russian military in their efforts against Ukrainian forces after they took control of areas in the western Kursk region.