North Korea’s recent ratification of a mutual defense treaty with Russia marks a turning point in the geopolitical dynamics of East Asia. With some 11,000 North Korean troops already deployed to support the Russian military in its war against Ukraine, leader Kim Jong-un has taken a significant step toward a military alliance with Moscow.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed in Pyongyang on June 19 during an official visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, establishes mutual obligations to provide military assistance in the event of aggression. According to state-run KCNA news agency, the agreement will only come into force after both sides exchange instruments of ratification.
Kim Jong-un described the agreement as a strengthening of bilateral ties, likening it to a real alliance between the two countries. The Russian parliament ratified the treaty on November 6, underscoring months of growing military cooperation between the two nations. South Korean, U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence agencies have confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers on the front lines, primarily in Russia’s Kursk region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced Russia’s mobilization of 50,000 troops, including many North Koreans, in Kursk in preparation for an offensive to reclaim lost territory. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has threatened increased support for Ukraine, including the possibility of sending weapons to secure the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, warned that the supply of Taurus missiles by Germany will not significantly alter the course of the conflict and could instead increase the risks associated with war.
The growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia poses a challenge not only to Ukraine but also to regional stability. As tensions continue to rise and alliances strengthen, the world is watching with concern the future developments of this conflict and its potential global repercussions. The situation remains fluid and complex, requiring continued monitoring and analysis by the international community.
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