North Korea and Russia agreed to provide immediate military assistance to each other if they faced armed aggression. It is the result of an important pact agreed by President Putin and Kim Jong Un.
The deal is one of the highest-profile moves in Asia by Russia in years. Putin visited China last month shortly after his inauguration for a fifth term as president.
If one of the parties faces armed aggression in a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military assistance in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of each country.
Article 51 of the UN Charter provides for the right of member states to take individual or collective self-defense.
Kim reiterated Putin's statement clearly linking their growing ties to the fight against the imperialist policies of the West and the United States in particular, including its support for the attack on Ukraine.
In February 2022, the US and South Korea are increasingly concerned about the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. Both are accused of violating international law in trade and Ukrainian officials found fragments of a North Korean missile in the Russian attack.
However, both denied the weapons trade allegations.
Putin and Kim have vowed to work together as both face growing international isolation among US allies and the Asian region. North Korea is the only country to have tested a nuclear weapon this century.
The agreement supports that both parties will not sign an agreement with a third country that violates the interests of the other country and will not allow its territory to be used by any country.
