On Wednesday, NK News reported that Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations agreed to provide North Korea with drone technology and rescue operation training programs free of charge.
According to NK News, citing a press release issued by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations on Monday, delegations led by Roman Kurinin, Deputy Minister of Russia’s Emergency Situations, and Ri Gi-chul, Deputy Minister of North Korea’s Disaster Prevention Ministry, signed a memorandum of understanding on specialized training and scientific-technological cooperation following their talks.
While the Ministry did not specify the meeting date, it released photos of the discussions with North Korean officials and images of the delegation visiting a memorial for Moscow’s emergency responders.
The press release stated that Deputy Minister Kurinin plans to submit a proposal to the Russian government to train North Korean experts and provide them with free accommodation in Russia during their research period. He also extended an invitation to the North Korean delegation for the Integrated Safety and Security 2026 exhibition in Kazan.
Kurinin elaborated on a comprehensive training program covering communication systems, unmanned aerial systems, and rescue operations in aquatic and mountainous environments. This program is set to run for six months to two years at the Far Eastern Fire and Rescue Academy in Vladivostok.
North Korean state media only reported the delegation’s departure for Russia on December 8, without disclosing any details about their activities in Moscow.
NK News noted that this visit follows Deputy Minister Kurinin’s trip to North Korea in mid-July, where both parties discussed training for firefighters and rescue specialists, as well as joint scientific and technological projects.
North Korea first publicly acknowledged its Ministry of Disaster Prevention on July 4 through Korean Central Television. The Korea Institute for National Unification suggests that both the existing National Emergency Response Committee and the new Ministry of Disaster Prevention are currently operational.