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
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.