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Title: North Korea Adds Russian to Stamp Announcements, Signalling Deepening Ties with Moscow
Introduction:
In a move that underscores the burgeoning relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow, North Korea has, for the first time, included Russian in its official stamp release announcements. This seemingly small detail, revealed in the unveiling of new stamp designs set to be issued on January 20th, speaks volumes about the shifting geopolitical landscape and the increasingly close alliance between the two nations. This departure from past practice, where announcements were typically in English and Chinese, signals a deliberate effort by North Korea to highlight its strengthened ties with Russia.
Body:
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the official state news agency of North Korea, released the details of the upcoming stamp issue on January 10th. Accompanying the images of the new stamps were descriptions not only in the usual English and Chinese, but also in Russian. This is a significant change. As noted by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, this inclusion of Russian is unprecedented. Even during the 2015 Year of Russia-DPRK Friendship, when commemorative stamps were issued to mark the occasion, Russian was not used in the announcements.
This development has not gone unnoticed by observers. Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that the South Korean Unification Ministry, while not tracking every stamp release, confirmed that prior to this year, North Korea had consistently used only English and Chinese in its stamp announcements. The addition of Russian, effective January 1st, is a clear departure from this established practice.
Analysts suggest this move is directly linked to the recent signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and Russia. This treaty has paved the way for increased cooperation across various sectors, and the inclusion of Russian in stamp announcements is seen as a symbolic gesture to further solidify and publicize this strengthening alliance.
Furthermore, the timing of this announcement is notable. Last month, North Korea released two sets of stamp booklets. One set, bearing the inventory number Ba79, was dedicated to DPRK-Russia Friendship, while the other focused on DPRK-China Friendship. The fact that the DPRK-Russia Friendship stamps were issued prior to the inclusion of Russian in the stamp announcements further emphasizes the strategic importance Pyongyang places on its relationship with Moscow.
Conclusion:
The addition of Russian to North Korea’s stamp announcements is more than just a linguistic change; it’s a calculated move to visually demonstrate the deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. This symbolic gesture, coupled with the recent signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty and the release of DPRK-Russia Friendship stamps, underscores the growing importance of this alliance for both nations. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, this seemingly minor detail serves as a significant marker of the evolving dynamics in the region and the increasing alignment between North Korea and Russia. It will be crucial to observe future developments to fully understand the implications of this strengthened partnership.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, January 10). North Korea Adds Russian to Stamp Announcements, Signalling Deepening Ties with Moscow. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240110003700325
- Radio Free Asia. (2024, January 10). North Korea Adds Russian to Stamp Announcements, Signalling Deepening Ties with Moscow. https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/zbt-01102024102811.html
Note: I have used a modified APA citation style for the references, as it is commonly used in news articles and is easily accessible to readers.
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