News Brief
Russia-North Korea Defence Pact Comes Into Effect Amid Allegations Of Troop Deployment To Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
A landmark defence pact between North Korea and Russia, signed in June by their leaders, has officially come into effect following the exchange of ratification documents, North Korea's KCNA news agency reported Thursday (5 December).
The treaty's formalisation comes amid accusations from the United States and South Korea that North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
Experts believe North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is leveraging this alliance to gain advanced military technology and combat experience for his forces in exchange for his country’s support.
The agreement, signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, commits both nations to provide immediate military assistance in the event of an attack on the other and to jointly resist Western sanctions.
The treaty took effect Wednesday after North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong Gyu and Russia’s Vice Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko exchanged ratification documents in Moscow.
The pact was unanimously approved by Russian lawmakers and ratified by Kim through a state decree, KCNA reported.
Analysts suggest the partnership signals Pyongyang’s strategic realignment in foreign policy, using the Ukraine conflict to strengthen its position in Russia's war economy as a provider of military resources, labor, and arms.
This growing military alliance marks a shift in Pyongyang’s priorities, potentially sidelining traditional ally China in favor of deeper ties with Moscow.
Both North Korea and Russia, under heavy UN sanctions—North Korea for its nuclear programme and Russia for the Ukraine war—have increasingly deepened their defence ties since the Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kim recently affirmed his unwavering support for Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during a visit by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, as Putin hailed the pact as a "breakthrough" document.
