Pyongyang: North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol aimed at enhancing sports exchanges for the upcoming year, as reported by North Korea's state media on Monday. The agreement marks a continuing trend of strengthening cooperation between the two nations across different sectors. According to Yonhap News Agency, the protocol was signed by Kim Il-guk, North Korea's minister of physical culture and sports, and Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev in Pyongyang. While specific details of the protocol were not revealed, it was reported that both ministers engaged in discussions to explore ways to expand and enhance exchanges and cooperation in their respective sports sectors. The Russian Embassy in North Korea had previously announced Degtyarev's visit through a Facebook post last Friday. The embassy highlighted that the agreement would include provisions for joint sports events, the development of expert workforces, and sports tourism. The signing of this protocol is part of a larger trend of increas ed bilateral cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Since finalizing a "strategic partnership treaty" in June, the two countries have been working together more closely in several areas, including the military, economy, and sports.