The largest labor organizations in Russia and North Korea have inked a cooperation deal, according to state media, a move that comes as the DPRK deploys large numbers of workers to Russia.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia signed the memorandum of understanding on friendship and cooperation with the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea on Tuesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the following day. 

Sergei Chernogayev of the Russian trade union and his DPRK counter Ri Won Jong reportedly discussed ways to boost “exchanges and cooperation” between their institutions, which are umbrella organizations for