SEOUL. North Korea and Russia have forged a groundbreaking agreement to provide immediate military assistance to each other in the event of an armed invasion. This historic pact, revealed on Thursday by Pyongyang following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, underscores the deepening ties between the two nations.
South Korea reacted swiftly, convening an emergency meeting of its national security council. In a significant shift, Seoul announced it would now consider sending arms to Ukraine, a step it had previously avoided.
The newly published “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” revives a defunct mutual defense agreement from the 1960s. Signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, the pact also encompasses cooperation on nuclear energy, space exploration, and food and energy security. This move marks one of Moscow’s most prominent actions in Asia in recent years, following Putin’s visit to China last month shortly after his fifth presidential inauguration.
Article 4 of the agreement states, “In case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of the DPRK and the Russian Federation.” This article of the U.N. Charter allows for the right of self-defense by member countries.
Kim Jong Un echoed Putin’s sentiment, criticizing the “hegemonic and imperialist” policies of the West, particularly the United States, and its support for Ukraine.
The deepening military collaboration between Russia and North Korea has alarmed Washington and Seoul, who accuse them of violating international laws by allegedly trading arms for Russia’s use against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have reported finding North Korean missile debris within their territory, though both Russia and North Korea deny any arms trade.
In response to the new pact, South Korea has pledged to bolster its security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. South Korea also announced the addition of 243 items to its list of goods banned from export to Russia, bringing the total to 1,402. Moreover, Seoul is reassessing its stance on providing arms to Ukraine, according to national security advisor Chang Ho-jin.
Artyom Lukin, from Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University, noted that this pact marks “Moscow’s first defense alliance outside the post-Soviet space.” He questioned the extent of the alliance, speculating on the potential deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine or Russian military support for North Korea in possible border conflicts.
Cho Han-bum of the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul remarked that the agreement provides a legal framework for North Korea’s support in the Ukraine conflict while giving Moscow flexibility in choosing its commitments.
During his first visit to Pyongyang since 2000, Putin expressed gratitude to Kim for supporting Russian policies. Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s unwavering support for all of Russia’s policies, including the war in Ukraine.
The agreement stipulates that neither country will sign any treaty with a third nation that could infringe on the other’s interests or allow its territory to be used against the other’s security and sovereignty. The two nations will take joint actions to enhance defense capabilities and ensure regional and international peace and security.
South Korea condemned the pact’s military technology cooperation clause, stating it violates U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea’s weapons programs. Despite supporting initial sanctions against North Korea following its 2006 nuclear test, Russia, which has veto power at the Security Council, has recently advocated for changing these sanctions and blocked the annual extension of inspectors enforcing them this year.
The White House has yet to comment on the agreement. Japan has expressed “grave concerns” over potential military technology cooperation between Russia and North Korea. China’s response has been muted, with its foreign ministry spokesperson calling it a bilateral matter.
Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak criticized Russia for nullifying sanctions intended to halt North Korea’s weapons development, while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the pact as evidence of authoritarian powers aligning.
This landmark agreement between North Korea and Russia is poised to reshape geopolitical dynamics in the region and beyond.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
