Mutual defense agreement between Moscow and North Korea, which supports Russia over Ukraine

North Korea and Russia, who "fight together" against "hemonyémony" American, have signed on Wednesday a mutual defense agreement, announced Vladimir Putin who thanked his host à Pyongyang Kim Jong Un for his support in his war against Ukraine.

Received with great fanfare, the Russian president also considered that the UN Security Council sanctions targeting the North Koreans for their nuclear program, “inspired by the United States and its allies “, had to be “re-examined”.

“The treaty on comprehensive partnership signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against a party to the treaty,” Putin told reporters after signing the document.

“Both Russia and Korea pursue independent foreign policies and do not accept the language of blackmail and diktat,” he continued, in a clear warning to the West.

The Russian head of state called the agreement a “truly revolutionary document,” adding that Russia “does not rule out for itself military-technical cooperation” with Pyongyang.

– Ukraine: North Korean support for Russia –

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, for his part, assured that the agreement was “exclusively “peaceful and defensive.” Calling Vladimir Putin his country's “best friend,” he hailed the dawn of a “new era” in relations with Moscow.

Welcome ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, June 19, 2024 © POOL – Vladimir SMIRNOV

“There is no doubt that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty… will reliably guarantee the alliance between North Korea and Russia for a century and that it fully contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Kim Jong Un later judged during a reception in honor of his guest, according to a Russian translation.

The North Korean government “expresses its full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in the conduct of the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity,” he said. he also said to Mr. Putin.

“We very much appreciate your systematic and permanent support of Russian policy, including on the Ukrainian issue”, said in return the head of the Kremlin.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is received by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, June 19, 2024 © POOL – Vladimir SMIRNOV

“We are grateful to the leaders and people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regarding the situation in Ukraine. Today, we are fighting together against the hegemonic and neocolonialist practices of the United States and of their satellites”.

– First visit –

Vladimir Putin, welcomed with a grand ceremony on Kim Il Sung Square, with a military band and synchronized dancing, offered his host a luxury car from the Russian manufacturer Aurus. He then held talks alongside his delegation with the North Korean leader, followed by a long aside, and invited Kim Jong Un to visit Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participate in a welcoming ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, June 19, 2024. © POOL – Gavriil GRIGOROV

This is Mr. Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years and the second meeting between the two men in less than a year. In September 2023, Kim Jong Un went by armored train to the Russian Far East for a summit with the Russian president.

Moscow and Pyongyang have been allies since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953) but have become closer since the Russian military operation launched in Ukraine in February 2022.

“Russia needs North Korea's support in weapons due to the protracted war in Ukraine, while North Korea needs Russia's support in food, energy and advanced weapons to ease the pressure of sanctions,” Koh Yu-hwan, professor emeritus of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, commented to AFP.

For him, the Russian government remains cautious and does not want to “completely burn bridges with countries like South Korea”.

– Less dependent on Beijing –

Americans and Europeans have been worried for months about the accelerated rapprochement between Moscow and Pyongyang, accusing the North Koreans of massively delivering munitions and missiles to Russia.

In exchange, according to Washington and Seoul, Russia provided North Korea with expertise for its satellite program and sent aid to deal with food shortages.

Vladimir Putin's support allows Kim Jong Un to “lessen his dependence” on another key ally, Beijing, Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.

Meanwhile, the Russian head of state “obtains secure access to Soviet-style artillery shells which “he needs huge quantities today”, according to this expert.

This state visit is a way for Mr. Putin to thank North Korea to “fulfill the role of an +arsenal for the autocracy+ by supporting its illegal invasion of Ukraine,” noted Leif-Eric Easley, professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

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