(LEAD) N. Korea, Russia hold joint IT exhibition in Pyongyang for 1st time in 18 yrs

A joint exhibition aimed at promoting information technology exchanges between North Korea and Russia has opened in Pyongyang, the North's state media said Wednesday, marking their first such event in 18 years. The 2024 DPRK-Russia IT products exhibition opened on Tuesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English-language dispatch, as international attention has focused on North Korea's troop deployment in Russia in apparent support for Moscow in its war with Ukraine. DPRK is the acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. With no mention of such an event in North Korean media since the inaugural exhibition in 2006, this revival appears to signal strengthened relations between the two countries. The exhibition, focusing on information technology and digital development, features cutting-edge IT products and scientific achievements developed by educational institutions, research organizations, and companies from both countries, it said. A Russian deleg ation led by Andrei Zarenin, vice minister of digital development, communications and mass media, attended the exhibition, the KCNA said. Ju Yong-il, minister of IT Industry, made an opening address, and Zarenin made a congratulatory speech, it said. The speakers said the bilateral relations are developing into a high stage of "comprehensive strategic partnership" under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries. "They expressed the stand to further develop cooperation in the field of IT, saying that the multi-faceted bilateral exchange and cooperation fully accord with the interests of the peoples of the two countries," the dispatch said. Throughout the exhibition period, various conferences and working-level meetings on information technology and digital advancements will be held, according to the KCNA. Source: Yonhap News Agency