North Korean state media this week covered the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, reporting that Kim Jong Un and his foreign minister sent condolence letters to the countries. 

Coverage of the deadly disasters was unusually swift by DPRK standards and likely stems from Kim’s close relationship with Syrian leader Bashar Assad.

The country also marked the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army on Wednesday. State media covered a celebratory banquet and a massive parade on the night of the holiday, and state television praised the patriotism of old Korean War and