At least four North Korean companies applied to register trademarks in Russia last month, seeking to bring tranquilizers, sweets, rice wine and other products to the overseas market as the two countries rapidly bolster ties.

NK News analysis of Russia’s Federal Service For Intellectual Property (Rospatent) records shows that Hakbong Trading Company, Mirae Trading Company, Unha Daesong and Chugyong Foreign Economic and Technological Cooperation Company all registered with the office in July in preparation to enter the country.

The four firms followed the lead of the Ryongaksan Soap Factory, a North Korean soap maker that filed a trademark application