[1] During the Somali Democratic Republic, relations with North Korea were close, due to shared ideals and geopolitical interests.

Both countries formally adhered to anti-imperialism and Marxism–Leninism, and were aligned with the Soviet Union in the context of the wider Cold War.

[4] Over the following years, military cooperation intensified, with North Korea training and equipping the Somali Armed Forces.

[2] This changed considerably after the communist Derg came to power in 1974, causing an eventual realignment of Soviet support towards Ethiopia.

North Korea followed suit, and provided military aid to Ethiopia against Somalia during the Ethio-Somali War.