Russia and North Korea sign mutual defense treatyExBulletin

Seoul, South Korea Russia and North Korea signed a new treaty providing mutual defense assistance, formalizing the two countries' increased level of military and diplomatic cooperation.

President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty after their summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

At a press conference after the meeting, Putin said the agreement “includes the provision of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the signatories”.

North Korea previously had an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union that stipulated automatic involvement in the event of an attack on either country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was succeeded in 2000 by a lower-level treaty with Russia.

Putin called the new treaty, which would replace the previous one, “a truly innovative document that reflects the desire of both countries not to rest on their laurels, but to bring our relations to a new qualitative level “. He added that it “sets large-scale tasks and standards for deepening Russian-Korean relations in the long term.”

Both Kim and Putin stressed that the new pact is “protective” in nature.

Putin's visit to North Korea, his first in 24 years, comes as the two countries have grown closer in recent years since Russia invaded Ukraine. North Korea allegedly offered Russia millions of artillery shells and other weapons for use in Ukraine in exchange for food, energy and military technologies.

The full scope of the treaty and other agreements signed Wednesday have not been made public. And some North Korea watchers question the sustainability of current bilateral ties.

But the United States and its allies have raised concerns that a growing military partnership would embolden the two isolated countries and destabilize the region and beyond.

In Washington on Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after his meeting with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that Russia's war has been “supported” by countries like North Korea and China. “If they succeed in Ukraine, it will make us more vulnerable and the world more dangerous,” he said.

In a show of strong friendship, Kim personally greeted Putin on a red-carpeted runway at Pyongyang International Airport shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday. Putin was originally scheduled to arrive on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

After hugs and a brief chat, the two rode in a Russian-made Aurus sedan together to the Kumsusan state guesthouse along the streets of the capital, where Russian national flags and greeting banners flew.

North Korea held an extravagant welcome ceremony later Wednesday at Kim Il Sung Square, which was filled with military bands, honor guards and North Korean citizens waving flowers and flags in the sweltering heat.

In the extended meeting that followed, Kim Jong Un said: “The situation globally is now changing rapidly as it becomes more challenging. Against this background, we are determined to strengthen strategic interaction with Russia, with the Russian leadership as we go forward.” according to Russia Tass news agency.

Kim was too cited saying that his country “appreciates the mission and important role of a strong Russia in maintaining stability and strategic balance in the world.”

He further pledged “full support and solidarity with the Russian government, military and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity,” according to Sputnik.

Putin thanked Kim for North Korea's support for the war and emphasized the two countries' historic friendship that stretches from the beginning of the 20th century to their current opposition to “the hegemony policy, the imperialist policy of the United States and satellites hers”. Tass reported.

At the press conference later, Putin criticized the US's “confrontational policy” in the region and defended North Korea against “all attempts to blame the destabilization of the international situation” on his hosts. He called on the United Nations Security Council to review the sanctions it imposes on North Korea.

He also suggested that the two countries could engage in advanced military-technical cooperation, in addition to increasing exchanges in trade, culture, tourism, education and agriculture.