Russia has officially launched a regular air link to North Korea, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
On Sunday, a Nordwind Airlines flight departed from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, carrying over 400 passengers to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the flight service will operate once a month to accommodate growing demand.
Lavrov Promotes North Korean Tourism
The new air link follows a recent visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to North Korea, where he met with leader Kim Jong Un at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort — a lavish facility that can accommodate up to 20,000 guests.
Lavrov pledged to encourage Russian tourists to visit the beach resort, which is central to Kim’s broader initiative to boost tourism as a means of reviving North Korea’s struggling economy.
North Korea Gradually Reopening Borders
After years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has begun easing its strict border controls, reopening in phases. However, Pyongyang has yet to announce a full-scale return to international tourism officially.
This monthly air link marks a rare direct international flight to the reclusive state and comes amid increasing diplomatic and military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly as Russia faces isolation from the West due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
