Russia-North Korea Sign Defense Pact, NATO Secretary General Upset

OTTAWA – Secretary General (Secretary General) NATO Jens Stoltenberg was upset after Russia and North Korea (North Korea) signed a joint defense pact.

According to him, the new defense pact shows increasing harmony between authoritarian countries.

Stoltenberg underscored the importance of democratic countries presenting a united front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that includes a mutual defense pact, a move that overhauls Moscow’s policy towards Pyongyang.

Stoltenberg said North Korea has provided large amounts of ammunition to Russia while China and Iran are supporting Moscow militarily in its war against Ukraine.

“We need to realize that authoritarian forces are increasingly aligning. “They support each other in a way we have never seen before,” he said in a panel discussion during an official visit to Ottawa, as quoted by Reuters, Thursday (20/6/2024).

“As they become more aligned—authoritarian regimes like North Korea and China, Iran, Russia—then it becomes even more important that we align as countries that believe in freedom and democracy,” the NATO boss continued.

According to him, the increasing closeness between Russia and other Asian countries means it is increasingly important for NATO to cooperate with its allies in the Asia-Pacific.

He added that this is why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea have been invited to the NATO summit in Washington next month.