Russia is preparing to ratify the strategic partnership agreement with the DPRK
Russian President Vladimir Putin introduces a bill to ratify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with the DPRK. Draft law No.
740196-8 was posted on the official website of the Russian Federation's State Duma. The document provides for the ratification of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, signed in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024.
In addition, this treaty has separate clauses related to mutual assistance in the event of war.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un addresses the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea. September 8, 2022. Photo credits: Korean Central News Agency
Thus, the fourth article of the treaty states that in the event that one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack by any country or several countries and is in a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military and other assistance with all available means following Article 51 of the UN Charter and under the laws of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In addition, the amendment added a third article, which states that in the event of an imminent threat of an act of armed aggression against one of the parties, the parties shall, at its request, immediately use bilateral channels for consultations to coordinate their positions and agree on possible practical measures to assist each other to help eliminate the threat. The treaty also includes Article 8, which states that "the parties shall establish mechanisms for joint measures to strengthen defense capabilities in the interests of preventing war and ensuring regional and international peace and security." Article 16 states: "The Parties shall oppose the use of unilateral coercive measures, particularly those of an extraterritorial nature, and consider their introduction to be illegal and contrary to the UN Charter and international law."
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the DPRK.
Photo credits: Russian media
In addition, the agreement states that the parties should not enter into any treaties and agreements with countries that pose a threat to the signatory country and should not cooperate with them. Despite officially signing a cooperation agreement between the two countries, the DPRK's assistance was noticed long before the Russian president visited Pyongyang. In addition, there is a possibility that the ratification of this treaty will allow public reporting on the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia.
The Washington Post previously reported that several thousand DPRK soldiers are undergoing training in Russia, and they may be deployed to Ukraine by the end of the year.