(Seoul) North Korea and Russia, who “fight together” against American “hegemony”, signed a mutual defense agreement on Wednesday, announced Vladimir Putin, who thanked his host in 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”, should be “reexamined” .
“The Comprehensive Partnership Treaty 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 military-technical cooperation” with Pyongyang for itself.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, for his part, assured that the agreement was “exclusively peaceful and defensive”. Describing Vladimir Putin as his country’s “best friend”, he welcomed the advent of a “new era” in relations with Moscow.
“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 with the Russian government, military and people in conducting the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity,” he further told Mr. Putin.
“We very much appreciate your systematic and permanent support for Russian policy, including on the Ukrainian issue,” said the head of the Kremlin in return.
“We are grateful to the leaders and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regarding the situation in Ukraine. Today we fight together against the hegemonic and neocolonialist practices of the United States and its satellites.
Vladimir Putin, welcomed by a grand ceremony on Kim Il-sung Square, with a military fanfare and synchronized dances, for his part offered a luxury car from the Russian manufacturer Aurus to his host. 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.
This is Mr. Putin’s first trip 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 traveled 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, however, the Russian government remains cautious and does not want to “completely burn bridges with countries like South Korea.”
Americans and Europeans have for their part 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, insisted to AFP. from Oslo.
In the meantime, the Russian head of state “obtains secure access to Soviet-type artillery shells that he needs in huge quantities today,” according to the expert.
This state visit is a way for Mr. Putin to thank North Korea for “fulfilling the role of an ‘arsenal for autocracy’ by supporting its illegal invasion of Ukraine,” noted Leif-Eric Easley , professor at Ewha University in Seoul.