Russia restores direct flights to North Korea

• Russia has inaugurated a new regular air service between Moscow and Pyongyang, highlighting the deepening relationship between the two nations.
• The inaugural flight, operated by Nordwind, departed Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport with over 400 passengers, with plans for one monthly flight.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently visited North Korea, meeting Kim Jong Un and encouraging Russian tourism to the Wonsan-Kalma beach resort.
• North Korea is slowly easing pandemic restrictions and reopening its borders, with the Wonsan-Kalma resort central to its efforts to boost tourism and improve its economy.
• The new air link underscores the expanded military and other ties between Russia and North Korea, including Pyongyang's supply of weapons for Russia's military action in Ukraine.

IN FULL

First direct commercial flight launched between Russia and North Korea