North Korea ratifies mutual defense treaty with Russia

North Korean news agency KCNA reported that on November 12, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a decree ratifying the mutual defense treaty with Russia. The treaty will take effect when both sides exchange ratification documents.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attend a state banquet in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 19. (Photo: Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed the treaty into law on November 9, which stipulates that the two countries must "immediately provide military and other assistance by all available means" if either side comes under armed attack.

The Russian and North Korean leaders signed an agreement at a summit in June, calling it a step to elevate bilateral relations to a level close to an "alliance".

Moscow and Pyongyang also pledged not to sign any agreements with third parties that would be against each other's "sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, freedom of choice and development of political, social, economic and cultural systems, as well as other important interests."

The move comes as the US, South Korea and Ukraine have criticised increased military cooperation between the two countries, with North Korea accused of sending tens of thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

Seoul, Washington and Kiev allege there are more than 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia. US officials and Ukraine's defense minister have said some North Korean troops have taken part in fighting in Russia's Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said North Korean troops had suffered casualties in clashes with Ukrainian forces, and that the first battles between the two forces “opened a new page in the destabilizing situation in the world.”

Currently, neither Russia nor North Korea has responded to the information that the US, South Korea and Ukraine have accused.

Hoa Vu (Source: Reuters)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/trieu-tien-phe-chuan-hiep-uoc-phong-thu-chung-voi-nga-ar906862.html