First direct commercial flight launched between Russia and North Korea
Russia has inaugurated a new regular air service between Moscow and Pyongyang, a development underscoring the deepening relationship between the two nations.
The inaugural flight, operated by Russian carrier Nordwind, departed Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday with more than 400 passengers aboard. Russia’s Transport Ministry confirmed plans for one monthly flight to accommodate demand.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who visited North Korea’s new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort earlier this month to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promised to encourage Russian tourists to visit the complex.
The resort, which can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, is at the center of Kimโs push to boost tourism to improve his countryโs troubled economy.
North Korea has been slowly easing the curbs imposed during the pandemic and reopening its borders in phases. But the country hasnโt said if it would fully resume international tourism.
Regular flights between Russiaโs eastern port city of Vladivostok and Pyongyang reopened in 2023 following a break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Russia and North Korea have sharply expanded military and other ties in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying weapons and troops to back Russiaโs military action in Ukraine.
