Russian in the DPRK is no longer just an optional course for enthusiasts: it has become mandatory for all students starting in fourth grade. Minister Alexander Kozlov reiterated this during a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Moscow.

This is not unusual for North Korea: Russian is already among the most widely spoken foreign languages. Currently, around 600 people study it: not many, but an impressive number for a closed country with a rigid education system. Meanwhile, in Russia, around 3,000 students study Korean, often as a second or third foreign language.

Student exchange is growing. Last year, nearly a hundred North Korean students were admitted to Russian universities, including the Far Eastern Federal University, MGIMO, and RUDN University. Meanwhile, around 300 Russian students have decided to try their hand at Korean language studies. Only three pedagogical universities offer this program, but applications are numerous.

Professional training courses are also underway: 29 DPRK geologists have completed Russian courses in exploration and analysis, and programs have also been launched for bankers, energy operators, and medical professionals.

At the university level, contacts between Russia and the DPRK are growing. For example, the first forum of the two countries’ rectors was held in Vladivostok in May 2025.