PYONGYANG, September 29. /TASS Correspondent Stanislav Varivoda/. Russia and the DPRK have signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of education, qualifications, and academic degrees. The signing ceremony took place in Pyongyang as part of the Second Forum of Rectors of Russian and Korean Universities, a TASS correspondent reports.

The document was signed by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky and Deputy Minister of Education of the DPRK Lee Chang-sik.

"The document will not only promote mobility but also strengthen direct ties between universities. Without additional barriers, launching joint educational and research projects will become easier. Exchanges of faculty and young researchers will increase," Mogilevsky said at the forum.

The deputy minister also reported that more than 240 North Korean citizens studied in Russia last academic year, over 80% of them under the Russian government's quota.

Representatives from over 40 leading Russian universities and research organizations are participating in the second Rectors' Forum. During the event, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, St. Petersburg State University, and Novosibirsk State University will also sign agreements with their Korean partners.