North Korea and Russia sign major defense treaty

North Korea ratified a significant defense treaty with Russia on Tuesday, committing both nations to mutual military aid, according to North Korean state media.

This development comes amid claims from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine that North Korea has already deployed thousands of troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The treaty underscores a strengthening of military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow while geopolitical tensions rise.

This Comprehensive Strategic Partnership mandates that both North Korea and Russia deploy all available resources to offer immediate military assistance if either nation is attacked.

The treaty also emphasizes collaboration toward establishing a “just and multipolar new world order” and is designed to strengthen joint efforts in areas including atomic energy, space exploration, food security, trade, and economic development between the two nations.

Are Russia and North Korea Allies?

Russia finalized its ratification of the defense treaty last week, following its signing by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. It marks the largest defense agreement between the two nations since the Cold War. The treaty will officially take effect upon the exchange of ratification documents, according to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea ratified the defense treaty through a decree signed on Monday by Kim Jong Un in his capacity as the country’s president of state affairs, reported KCNA. Although the Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s Parliament, typically holds the authority to ratify treaties, Kim can independently ratify major agreements.

Did North Korea Send Troops to Russia?

Intelligence assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine indicate that up to 12,000 North Korean troops have likely already been deployed to Russia under the terms of the June defense treaty.

Ukrainian officials reported that small-scale clashes occurred between Ukrainian and North Korean troops last week, with Ukraine’s forces firing artillery at North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk border region.

North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia risks further escalating the nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine. This move has also heightened concerns among South Korea, the U.S., and allied nations about potential reciprocal support from Russia.

How Dangerous Are North Korea and Russia?

There is growing apprehension that Russia might share sensitive technology with North Korea, which could significantly bolster Pyongyang’s existing nuclear and missile capabilities. Such an exchange would pose a serious security challenge for the U.S. and its allies in the region.

North Korea and Russia have been deepening their military and strategic cooperation in recent months. According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, North Korea has delivered over 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles, and other conventional weapons to Russia since August 2023, aimed at replenishing Russia’s depleting weapon stockpiles.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press