In a significant and troubling development, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia and North Korea have elevated their bilateral relations to a “new level,” emphasizing mutual support in the event of external aggression. This announcement came during Putin’s rare visit to North Korea, where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The leaders signed a new strategic partnership agreement, superseding previous agreements from 1961, 2000, and 2001, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.
“The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today includes, among other things, the provision of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement,” Putin stated following the meeting. He characterized the joint military exercises involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan as “hostile” towards North Korea, describing US policy as “confrontational.” Kim Jong-un hailed the new agreement as a “watershed moment in the development of bilateral relations.”
However, the new partnership raises several critical questions. Observers are particularly interested in whether Russia’s nuclear deterrent now extends to North Korea and whether the two nations will conduct joint military drills.
The meeting was marked by elaborate ceremonies. Putin and Kim presented their officials, stood together during the Russian national anthem, and later rode side by side in an open-top limousine, smiling and waving to the crowd. The day concluded with Kim escorting Putin to his plane, set to depart for Vietnam.
The highly publicized visit underscores North Korea’s dependence on Russia and serves as a reminder to the West of Putin’s enduring influence in certain global regions, despite the international condemnation following his 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
For Russia, this partnership is also crucial. Various governments have accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both countries have denied these allegations, despite substantial evidence suggesting such transfers.
The new strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea signifies a deeper alliance amid growing geopolitical tensions, reflecting both nations’ attempts to bolster their positions on the global stage.
