South Korea's SEOUL (AP) — According to North Korean state media on Thursday, the presidents of Russia and North Korea established a new agreement at a summit in Pyongyang that mandates both nations utilize all available means to give quick military support in the case of conflict.
The agreement struck on Wednesday was hailed by Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jong Un of North Korea as a significant improvement of bilateral relations encompassing trade, investment, security, and cultural and humanitarian links. According to outside experts, it might represent the closest relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow since the end of the Cold War.
The wording of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement was released on Thursday by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. According to the agency, Article 4 of the contract stipulates that if one when one nation is attacked and declared a war zone, the other is obliged to use "all means at its disposal without delay" in order to offer "military and other assistance."
The U.S. and its allies expressed growing concern about a potential arms deal in which Pyongyang gives Moscow much-needed ammunition for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic support and technology transfers that could increase the threat posed by Kim's nuclear weapons and missile program, which coincided with the summit between Kim and Putin.
After the summit, Kim described the two nations' relationship as a “fiery friendship” and said the agreement was their “strongest-ever treaty,” elevating it to the status of an alliance. He promised to fully back Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Putin referred to it as a "breakthrough document," indicating a common goal to elevate relations.
Experts claim that a 1961 deal between North Korea and the former Soviet Union required Moscow to launch a military intervention in the event that the North was attacked. Following the fall of the USSR, the agreement was abandoned and was replaced in 2000 with a new one that provided less robust security guarantees.
Experts claim that a 1961 deal between North Korea and the former Soviet Union required Moscow to launch a military intervention in the event that the North was attacked. Following the fall of the USSR, the agreement was abandoned and was replaced in 2000 with a new one that provided less robust security guarantees.
After the Kim-Putin summit, South Korean officials stated that they were still analyzing the outcomes, particularly what Russia may do in the event that the North is attacked and whether the new agreement offers a comparable degree of security to the 1961 treaty. As of Thursday morning, South Korean officials had not responded to the North Korean report regarding the specifics of the agreement.
At a briefing, Lee Kyung-ho, a spokesman for Seoul's Defense Ministry, responded, "As of now, there is nothing specific we can tell you," when asked if the ministry believes that Russia has committed to an automatic military intervention on behalf of the North in times of conflict.
Putin struck the agreement while making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, with Kim embracing Putin twice at the airport, their vehicle passing by enormous Russian flags and Putin images, and a welcoming ceremony at Pyongyang's main square that drew what looked to be tens of thousands of onlookers. The visit demonstrated their personal and strategic relations.
At a briefing, Lee Kyung-ho, a spokesman for Seoul's Defense Ministry, responded, "As of now, there is nothing specific we can tell you," when asked if the ministry believes that Russia has committed to an automatic military intervention on behalf of the North in times of conflict.
Putin struck the agreement while making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, with Kim embracing Putin twice at the airport, their vehicle passing by enormous Russian flags and Putin images, and a welcoming ceremony at Pyongyang's main square that drew what looked to be tens of thousands of onlookers. The visit demonstrated their personal and strategic relations.
As to KCNA, the agreement further stipulates that Pyongyang and Moscow are prohibited from entering into agreements with third parties that violate the "core interests" of another party and are also prohibited from taking any action that jeopardizes such interests.
According to KCNA, the accords mandate that the nations take action to plan coordinated defense capabilities in order to avert conflict and safeguard regional and international peace and security. The agency did not say what those actions are or if integrated military training and other forms of collaboration would be part of them.
According to KCNA, the agreement also requires the nations to actively collaborate in attempts to create a "just and multipolar new world order," highlighting how the nations are standing together in the face of their individual, intensifying conflicts with the United States.
Kim has prioritized Russia in recent months as he pursues a foreign policy meant to deepen ties with nations that stand up to Washington, adopting the notion of a "new Cold War," and attempting to to present a unified front in Putin's larger confrontations with Western powers.
According to KCNA, the agreement also requires the nations to actively collaborate in attempts to create a "just and multipolar new world order," highlighting how the nations are standing together in the face of their individual, intensifying conflicts with the United States.
Kim has prioritized Russia in recent months as he pursues a foreign policy meant to deepen ties with nations that stand up to Washington, adopting the notion of a "new Cold War," and attempting to to present a unified front in Putin's larger confrontations with Western powers.
As a result of the rapid escalation of Kim's weapon tests and joint military drills including the United States, South Korea, and Japan, tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years.
The Koreas have also waged psychological warfare akin to that of the Cold War, with North Korea using balloons to dump tons of trash on the South and the South using its loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda critical of North Korea.
The Koreas have also waged psychological warfare akin to that of the Cold War, with North Korea using balloons to dump tons of trash on the South and the South using its loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda critical of North Korea.
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