https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/russias-putin-calls-for-closer-ties-with-north-korea-on-all-fronts-kremlin/articleshow/103530163.cms
https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/russias-putin-calls-for-closer-ties-with-north-korea-on-all-fronts-kremlin/articleshow/103530163.cms
Frankly, I don't know why these 3 didn't do all of this sooner! But, no better time than the present!
Well in the past Russian government was trying to cozy up to the west, which meant condemning the "enemies" of the west. Plus there was the matter of DPRK nuclear tests near the Russian border. But now, well, there's not a whole lot of options left
Plus there's little use befriending the international pariah, sadly enough it just causes more harm then good when you have other options. But now? There's no reason not to.