I'd be more inclined to think of it as an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" kind of a relationship. The USSR has historically supported North Korea as well, so t

I'd be more inclined to think of it as an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" kind of a relationship. The USSR has historically supported North Korea as well, so the expectation and past relationships at various levels are still going to be there regardless of what the Russian government looks like these days.