Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation ratifying the Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea, which also includes a mutual defense agreement. The order, published on Saturday, follows the summit between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang this June. The treaty, which has now been passed through Russia’s parliamentary process, pledges both countries to provide military assistance to each other in the event of an armed attack.
Ratification of the treaty strengthens ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Reports from both South Korea and Western intelligence suggest that North Korea has already provided weapons to Russia, with Ukrainian investigators claiming to have found evidence of the North. Korean weapons where Russian forces attacked.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed reports that North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia and about 11,000 troops have been sent to the southern Kursk region. These forces were reportedly engaged in fighting with Ukrainian forces, although Russia has not publicly acknowledged their presence. South Korea’s Ministry of Defense has also said that about 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia and some are stationed in frontline areas.
The treaty, approved by both houses of the Russian parliament, pledges to provide all necessary military and other assistance in the event of an attack by one country under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for collective self-defense. .
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military faces increasing challenges as Russian forces advance in key areas, particularly around the Donetsk region, where they have captured several villages. Ukrainian commanders have warned that North Korean forces could soon join Russian forces in an ongoing offensive.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Russian war zone, and the US has expressed its concern about the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. In response, President Zelensky has called for enhanced air defense systems from European allies to counter the growing threat.