North Korea Ratifies Mutual Defence Treaty with Russia Amid Growing Tensions

Kyiv Independent

North Korea has formalized a mutual defence treaty with Russia, as reported by state media on November 12. The agreement obligates both countries to provide military support to one another in the event of an armed attack.

The announcement follows reports of initial skirmishes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk region near the border. North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, confirmed that Kim Jong Un officially ratified the treaty, stating, “The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments.”

Russia’s legislature unanimously approved the treaty last week, and President Vladimir Putin subsequently signed it into law. The agreement, initially signed in June during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, commits both nations to immediate military support if either faces an attack.

During a recent visit to Moscow, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui expressed Pyongyang’s unwavering support for Russia, asserting that North Korea would stand by Russia “until the day of victory.”

South Korea, Ukraine, and Western nations have accused North Korea of deploying roughly 10,000 troops to aid Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Western governments also allege that North Korea has been supplying Moscow with artillery shells and missiles for use in the ongoing war.

The G7 nations recently condemned the escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. They raised concerns that North Korean troops could receive training in the use of ballistic missiles, a development that would contravene UN Security Council resolutions.