PYONGYANG: North Korea has ratified a major defense treaty with Russia, committing to mutual military support in case of an attack, as reported by North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. This agreement comes amid claims from the US, South Korea, and Ukraine that North Korea has already sent thousands of troops to support Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, signed in June by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marks a significant defense collaboration between the two nations since the Cold War era. The treaty will be enacted once both countries exchange ratification documents, as per North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Under the treaty, each country is bound to provide immediate military assistance to the other if attacked. Speculation has emerged that this could formally bring North Korea into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Intelligence sources from the US, South Korea, and Ukraine estimate that up to 12,000 North Korean troops have already been deployed to Russia, reportedly engaged in confrontations with Ukrainian forces near the Kursk region.
Observers are also concerned about the potential for Russia to transfer advanced military technology to North Korea, which could further accelerate North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, raising alarm among US allies.
