Russian lawmakers have ratified a pact with North Korea that envisions mutual military assistance, following the confirmation of the deployment of 3,000 North Korean troops to Russia by the United States.
The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, swiftly voted to endorse the “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty signed by President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader King Jong Un during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June. The upper house is expected to ratify the pact soon.
The agreement requires Russia and North Korea to provide immediate military assistance using “all means” in the event of an attack on either party. This pact represents the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.
The United States revealed that 3,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia for training at various locations. The U.S. described this deployment as a serious development and cautioned that these forces would be considered legitimate targets if engaged in combat in Ukraine.
Despite previous claims by the U.S. and its allies that North Korea supplied Moscow with ballistic missiles and artillery shells for use in Ukraine, both Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations.
When asked about the possibility of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine under the pact, Putin stated that such action was unnecessary. However, he did mention that Russia could provide weapons to North Korea for the first time.
Observers speculate that in exchange for military support, Moscow may share advanced weapons technologies with Pyongyang to enhance its ballistic missile and satellite capabilities.
