Russia and North Korea have recently signed a defensive pact that requires both countries to come to each other’s aid in the event of a military threat. The agreement, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, states that they will provide military and other assistance without delay if one of the nations is under attack.
This move has raised concerns among Western powers, as it solidifies the growing anti-West alliance that includes countries like Vietnam and China, with historical ties to Russia dating back to the Soviet era.
South Korean officials have expressed strong opposition to the pact, viewing it as a direct threat to their national security. In response, an official from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office mentioned the possibility of providing arms to Ukraine as a political response to the pact.
During Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un presented him with a pair of Pungsan dogs, a breed native to North Korea, as a gesture of friendship. The two leaders also bonded over their shared interest in automobiles, taking turns driving an Aurus limousine manufactured in Russia.
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was established in 1948 with the influence of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The ruling Kim family, known as the Mount Paektu bloodline, has maintained a hereditary dictatorship in the country since its founding by Kim Il Sung, a communist revolutionary.
The nation follows the state ideology of Juche, which is a blend of communism, personality cult, and nationalism. Despite its poor human rights record, Kim Jong Un has been seeking closer ties with Russia and China to enhance his regime’s international standing.
Overall, the defensive pact between Russia and North Korea has geopolitical implications and has sparked concerns among neighboring countries, particularly South Korea. The alliance between the two nations could potentially shift the balance of power in the region and have far-reaching consequences for international relations.