In North Korea, the education system began this year with a serious change: the Russian language was included in textbooks as a compulsory subject for all students, starting from the 4th grade. This was reported by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment of Russia, Alexander Kozlov. He announced this news at a meeting in Moscow on November 27 as the chairman of the Russian-Korean Intergovernmental Commission.
The Minister emphasized that the introduction of early Russian language instruction indicates that educational cooperation between the two countries has reached a new level. Moreover, interest in this area is growing in Russia itself - currently, more than 3,000 schoolchildren across the country are learning Korean. Among them, most children chose Korean as their second or third foreign language.
Cooperation in education
According to Alexander Kozlov, cooperation between the two countries is not limited to the school level. Joint programs for advanced training and retraining of specialists are being actively implemented in a number of areas. In particular, additional training courses have been organized for specialists in banking, energy, medicine, and geology.
As an example, the minister cited the fact that in 2025, 29 Korean geologists successfully completed internships and training programs at geological institutions in Russia. They acquired knowledge and skills in such important areas as exploration and prospecting, laboratory analysis, geological mapping, and database management.
Russian language tradition in North Korea
Kozlov noted that Russian has been one of the three most popular foreign languages in North Korea for many years. Currently, about 600 citizens in the country are mastering the Russian language at a professional level. That is, its introduction as a compulsory subject further strengthens the current interest and need.
Study abroad and student exchange
According to the report of the Intergovernmental Commission, 96 North Korean students were admitted to Russian universities in the 2024/25 academic year. They mainly chose the Federal University of the Far East, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), and the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples.
At the same time, interest in the Korean language has also increased in Russia itself: about 300 Russian students chose to study the Korean language at a high level. This language is mainly taught at three major pedagogical universities in the country.
In conclusion, the fact that the Russian language has become a compulsory subject in North Korea demonstrates the further strengthening of the strategic proximity, cultural ties, and educational integration between the two countries. This process is expected to be enriched with new directions in the future.
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