Are Russia and North Korea Friends?

MOSCOW – Russia and North Korea are two countries that are friendly to each other. In fact, in the latest defense agreement, the two countries are close allies who will protect each other in the event of military aggression.

With Russia’s presence, North Korea’s position is getting stronger in the conflict against South Korea supported by the United States. Russia also gets weapons supplies from North Korea to fight against Ukraine.

Are Russia and North Korea Friends?

1. Bound in the Mutual Defense Treaty

Ties between Russia and North Korea have strengthened in recent years, with Kim signing a joint defence agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin when he made a rare visit to Pyongyang in June this year.

Washington and Seoul claim Pyongyang is violating arms control measures by supplying weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.

Kim Jong Un stresses importance of strengthening naval power

The United States has long said Russia has used up munitions and lost heavy equipment in Ukraine, forcing the Kremlin to turn to its smaller allies, including North Korea, for support.

2. Help each other if aggression occurs

Russia and North Korea, under a new agreement, have committed to come to each other’s aid in the event of aggression against either country.

“The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as reported by Anadolu.

Putin noted that the US and other NATO countries announced the delivery of high-precision long-range weapons systems, F-16 aircraft and other high-tech weapons, equipment to Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory.

“This is not just a statement, this is happening. And all of this is a gross violation by Western countries … of various international obligations,” he said.

Under such circumstances, Russia does not rule out developing military-technical cooperation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), he stressed.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un said the agreement was “peace-loving and defensive in nature,” adding that it would accelerate the formation of a multipolar world.