North Korea and Russia hold talks on ”political and ideological projects” of deployed troops

Vice-ministerial-level leaders in charge of political and ideological affairs within the North Korean and Russian militaries met in Pyongyang one after another. Since the North Korean military's deployment to Russia was made official last year, the military and political organizations of both countries have been working together at a working level.
According to reports from the Korean Central News Agency and the Rodong Sinmun, a meeting was held in Pyongyang on the 5th between a delegation from the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army and a delegation from the General Military Political Bureau of the Russian Federation.
The meeting was attended by Pak Yong-il, Deputy Director of the General Political Bureau of the People's Army, Viktor Goremykin, Russian Deputy Minister of Defense and Director of the General Military Political Bureau, and military attachés from the Russian Embassy in North Korea.
The chief is an important position that oversees the Russian military's ideological management, education, counterintelligence, etc., and it is reportedly the first time that someone of this position has visited North Korea.
The Central News Agency said that both sides have agreed to "strengthen the military and political systems in line with the expanding and deepening bilateral relations under the strategic guidance of the national leaders."
While he did not mention specific details, he said that practical measures were discussed, including the operation and management of the deployed troops, the sharing of frontline-related information, and the coordination of ideological activities.
After the meeting, North Korea held a banquet for the Russian delegation, and the following day, Defense Minister Roh Kwang Chol met again with Deputy Minister Goremykin and his delegation.
Present at the meeting were senior diplomatic and military officials from both countries, including Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong Kyu and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora.
The reason this contact is attracting attention is that North Korean troops are being sent to the Russian front line.
The National Intelligence Service reported on the 4th during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops are engaged in security duties near the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Additionally, it is understood that approximately 1,000 additional engineers have been deployed to remove landmines, and that approximately 5,000 construction troops have been gradually moving in since September.
The National Intelligence Service said, "Training and personnel extraction activities in preparation for additional troop deployments have been continuously confirmed within North Korea.
This suggests that Russia, whose demand for military and technological resources is growing as the war drags on, may be seeking a broader role for North Korea.
The reason for the meeting between the two military and political directorates is believed to be to discuss ideological management of troops deployed to the front lines, psychological warfare measures, and the establishment of an information-sharing system.
In particular, high-level exchanges between the two countries have progressed rapidly in recent months. In June last year, North Korea and Russia signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and in October of the same year, North Korea
Since the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia was officially confirmed, the two countries have been operating a wide range of political and military channels, including mutual visits by military delegations and participation in exhibitions.
Last month, Defense Minister Roh Kwang-chol led a delegation to Moscow and met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.
The two also attended the unveiling ceremony of a statue of North Korean anti-Japanese guerrillas at Patriot Park on the outskirts of Moscow, demonstrating their close ties in political and symbolic events.
The visit to North Korea by Deputy Minister Goremykin and his party is being evaluated as a return visit to these moves, as well as a military-governmental contact to coordinate practical cooperation.