Listen to the article
North Korea and Russia Forge Media Alliance to Combat ‘Disinformation’
SEOUL – North Korea’s state news agency and Russian news agency TASS have signed an agreement to jointly counter what they describe as “disinformation” spread by their “many enemies,” both outlets reported on March 31. The move represents a further deepening of ties between the two increasingly isolated nations.
The updated cooperation agreement, signed on March 28, specifically covers “joint counteraction to disinformation on both a bilateral and multilateral basis,” according to TASS. The partnership comes as both countries face international criticism for their own information practices.
“The 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 Andrey Kondrashov during his visit to Pyongyang.
Western governments have long accused Russia of orchestrating disinformation campaigns through both digital and traditional media channels. Both Russia and North Korea rank near the bottom of the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, with North Korea placing second-to-last and Russia at 171 out of 180 countries. The media watchdog notes that North Korea’s “regime strictly prohibits independent journalism.”
Kondrashov’s visit highlighted the growing military cooperation between the two nations, with the TASS director praising North Korean troops. “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,” he said.
“Everyone understands that today we are fighting modern Nazism together,” Kondrashov added, echoing Russia’s frequent justification for its war in Ukraine. The TASS report further suggested that “many enemies do not like this, and this is why information campaigns had been launched against Russia and North Korea to spread fakes.”
The media partnership builds upon rapidly expanding military and economic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, along with significant munitions shipments. South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers, primarily deployed in Russia’s Kursk region where Ukraine launched an incursion in 2024, have been killed.
In exchange for military support, Moscow has provided North Korea with financial aid, military technology, food, and energy – crucial lifelines for the heavily sanctioned nation. This relationship has allowed North Korea to reduce its traditional dependence on China, according to regional security analysts.
High-level diplomatic exchanges have underscored the strengthening alliance. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in 2024, following Kim Jong Un’s trip to Russia in 2023. During Kondrashov’s current visit, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui welcomed the TASS delegation.
North Korea’s own state news agency, KCNA, has been more reserved in its reporting on the media agreement, noting on March 29 that the deal covered “exchanges of news articles” and “cooperation” without providing specific details about countering alleged disinformation.
The formalization of media cooperation signals a new front in both countries’ efforts to challenge Western narratives about their activities and to present alternative versions of events to domestic and international audiences. For countries with tightly controlled information environments, coordinated messaging provides an opportunity to reinforce state positions and counter international criticism.
As international sanctions and isolation continue to pressure both regimes, their deepening partnership across military, economic, and now information spheres represents a significant development in the shifting geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia and beyond.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
This news raises serious concerns about the state of press freedoms and the spread of disinformation. When two of the world’s most repressive regimes team up on media cooperation, it’s a recipe for disaster.
While governments have a duty to counter false information, this partnership between North Korea and Russia is deeply troubling. It signals a further erosion of democratic norms and the free press.
Absolutely. This agreement is a blatant attempt by two authoritarian states to strengthen their grip on information and narrative control.
While nations have a right to counter false narratives, this alliance raises red flags. Cooperation between such repressive regimes on media and information control is highly problematic.
Agreed, this feels like an effort to stifle independent and critical reporting rather than uphold the truth.
This agreement is concerning, as it seems to be a partnership of authoritarian states seeking to combat ‘disinformation’ through propaganda. Information-sharing between North Korea and Russia is worrying for press freedoms.
The irony of North Korea and Russia, two of the world’s most repressive regimes, joining forces to combat ‘disinformation’ is not lost on me. This is a worrying sign for press freedoms globally.
It’s troubling to see North Korea and Russia aligning on media and information control. These are two of the worst offenders when it comes to press freedoms and democratic norms.
This partnership will likely be used to crack down on dissent and critical voices in both countries. It’s a dangerous development for the free flow of information.
This agreement is a concerning development, as it solidifies the authoritarian alliance between North Korea and Russia. It will embolden both regimes to further restrict press freedoms and spread their own narratives.