Russia and North Korea signed an agreement for immediate military assistance in case of war

Russia and North Korea signed an agreement for immediate military assistance in case of war

According to North Korean state media on Thursday, the recent summit in Pyongyang between Russian and North Korean leaders resulted in an agreement where both nations commit to using all available resources to offer immediate military support if either country goes to war.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin hailed the agreement reached on Wednesday as a significant enhancement of their bilateral relations, encompassing security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties. According to external analysts, this development could represent the closest collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang since the conclusion of the Cold War.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin characterized their agreement on Wednesday as a significant advancement in bilateral relations, including security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties. Experts believe this could signify the strongest alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War.

The North Korean official news agency, Korean Central News Agency, published on Thursday details of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. Under Article 4, the treaty obliged the signing country "when one country is dragged into the state of aggression and war, to give all means of rendering assistance, including rendering military assistance and also implementing various measures to defend peace and security," according to the agency. The agreement nevertheless asserts that this must be done in accordance with the laws of both countries and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, recognizing any country's right to defense from persecution of any kind.

The summit between Kim and Putin came amid growing concern by the U.S. and others over a possible arms deal in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine, in return for economic aid and technology transfers that better the threat posed by Kim's nuclear weapons and missile program.

Following their summit, Kim described the relationship between North Korea and Russia as a "fiery friendship," with their latest treaty being hailed as their strongest ever, elevating their alliance. Kim pledged full support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, while Putin called the treaty a breakthrough that signifies their mutual desire to deepen relations.

The new treaty draws comparisons to a previous 1961 agreement between North Korea and the Soviet Union, which required Moscow to intervene militarily if North Korea was attacked. After the USSR collapsed, a weaker security agreement was established in 2000.

South Korean officials, a day after the summit, were still analyzing the treaty's implications, particularly regarding whether Russia would automatically intervene militarily if North Korea faced war. Experts had differing opinions on whether the treaty legally binds Russia to such actions or if it was worded to avoid explicit commitments. The reference to the UN Charter's Article wasn't immediately clear.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed concern over the military and technology cooperation mentioned in the treaty, which could violate UN Security Council resolutions. They promised to coordinate with allies to respond firmly to any actions that threaten South Korea's security.

The treaty was signed during Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years, showcasing the close ties between him and Kim through public displays of affection and grand ceremonies in Pyongyang.

The agreement also includes clauses preventing Pyongyang and Moscow from making agreements with third parties that undermine each other's core interests and committing to joint measures to enhance defense capabilities for peace and security.

Kim has increasingly focused on Russia as a key partner amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, characterized by North Korea's weapon tests and military exercises involving the US, South Korea, and Japan.