Moscow: A Russian company based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has been authorized to import beer produced in North Korea, according to Russian media reports. This development signals a deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, despite ongoing international scrutiny over North Korean trade, particularly concerning United Nations sanctions related to its weapons programs.
The importation of North Korean beer comes amid allegations from the U.S. and South Korea that North Korea has been supplying artillery and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine—claims that both Moscow and Pyongyang deny.
Recent diplomatic engagement between the two countries has been significant. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The beer will be imported by Vostokbirtrade, a company established in June, according to Russia’s RBC business daily. This move aligns with North Korea’s recent efforts to boost beer production to earn foreign currency through exports, as reported by Daily NK, a Seoul-based news outlet focused on North Korean affairs.
In addition to beer imports, Russia has also facilitated the export of prized horses and over 400 goats to North Korea. The Primorsky Interregional Office of Rosselkhoznadzor recently oversaw the export of 24 Orlov Trotter horses, known for their speed and stamina, to North Korea. These horses, microchipped for tracking, follow a previous shipment in 2022.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an avid equestrian, has shown a strong interest in these high-quality horses, further enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations.
