Russia and North Korea are stepping up their transport cooperation after a long hiatus: new passenger flights and rail routes are laying the foundation for an expanded strategic partnership.
Air connectivity: Charter flights on the rise
In November 2024, Russia and North Korea signed a protocol to expand economic cooperation, including increasing the number of charter flights between the countries.
According to Russian state media, charter flights will be launched from the Russian Far East and other major cities. These flights create air connectivity that has long been limited to eastern regions and special flights.
In October 2024, an Il-96-300, a special Russian government plane, landed in Pyongyang: confirmation of a warming relationship between the two states.
Friendship Rails: Direct Moscow-Pyongyang Train
The most high-profile announcement was the resumption of a direct passenger train route from Moscow to Pyongyang.
From 17 June, a train will run twice a month, covering more than 10,000 km along the Trans-Siberian Railway in 8 days whilst from 19 June, trains will begin running between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk.
A special feature of the route is the change in composition of the train itself: a carriage from North Korea is attached to a Moscow-Vladivostok train, then goes on to the DPRK.
Strategic Background: Transport as an Element of the Alliance
The promotion of transport links is not just a commercial project but a part of a new “fiery friendship” between Moscow and Pyongyang, secured by security and economic cooperation instruments.
In 2024, the leaders of both countries signed a Strategic Treaty, including mutual defense support. Rail and air routes allow not only expand cultural and business ties, whilst ensuring the supply of labour, equipment, and military supplies.
Significance With Challenges
A strategically important transport corridor for political, cultural and military cooperation is opening between Moscow and Pyongyang.
This route can be used not only by tourists, but also by workers — experts note the potential for sending North Korean specialists to Russia.
However, the implementation of the project poses challenges: the routes pass through many Russian regions with different construction speeds and infrastructure conditions.
The new routes strengthens the alliance between Russia and the DPRK, expanding cooperation in transport, economics, culture, and logistics. Time will tell how far these new tracks will go and whether it is a one way ticket to more business and defence cooperation in the future despite international sanctions.
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