Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un attend an official welcoming ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS
Putin and Kim Sign Mutual Defense Pact in Strategic Partnership
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a significant agreement that includes a mutual defense pledge, marking a pivotal development in Russia’s policy towards North Korea. Kim described this agreement as tantamount to an “alliance.”
This move represents a significant shift in Russia’s post-Soviet policy on North Korea, coinciding with the United States and its Asian allies’ efforts to understand the potential extent of Russia’s support for North Korea, the only nation to have conducted nuclear tests in this century. During his first visit to Pyongyang since July 2000, President Putin explicitly connected the strengthening of Russian-North Korean relations to the increasing Western support for Ukraine, indicating potential development in military and technical cooperation with Pyongyang.
The two leaders signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement, which Putin stated includes a clause for mutual defense in the event of aggression against either nation. He expressed that Western nations’ provision of advanced, long-range weaponry, such as F-16 fighters, to Ukraine constitutes a breach of significant agreements, thereby justifying Russia’s consideration of military-technical cooperation with North Korea.
Strategic Implications
Kim praised Russia for what he characterized as a highly strategic decision to support North Korea, a nation established in 1948 with Soviet backing. Depending on the specific terms of the agreement, which have not been disclosed, this could represent a substantial shift in the strategic dynamics of Northeast Asia, aligning Russia more closely with North Korea against South Korea, which is supported by the United States.
While North Korea maintains a defense treaty with China, it lacks the active military collaboration with Beijing that it has developed with Russia over the past year. North Korea also has a 1961 treaty with the former Soviet Union that included mutual support promises in the event of an attack. China, North Korea’s primary political and economic ally, has yet to respond to this new development.
Putin’s engagement with Kim, which included gifts such as limousines and a tour of Russia’s new space launch center, has raised concerns in the United States and among its Asian allies. A U.S. State Department spokesperson noted that the deepening cooperation between Russia and North Korea should concern those invested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, upholding global non-proliferation regimes, adhering to United Nations Security Council resolutions, and supporting Ukraine.
Public Reception and Statements
In Pyongyang, Putin was warmly received by crowds lining the streets, children waving Russian flags, and a military salute. Kim Jong Un personally welcomed Putin at the airport. After their discussions, Putin and Kim took turns driving each other in a luxury Russian limousine and later attended a concert together.
Putin accused the United States, South Korea, and Japan of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, asserting that North Korea has the right to bolster its defenses. Kim declared that the pact would enhance cooperation in politics, economy, and defense, describing it as “strictly peace-loving and defensive” in nature.
Kim affirmed North Korea’s “unconditional support” for all Russian policies, including full support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Putin emphasized Russia’s resistance to what he termed the hegemonic and imperialist policies of the United States and its allies, acknowledging North Korea’s consistent support for Russian policy, including its stance on Ukraine.
The Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 involved imposing severe sanctions on Russia. The conflict in Eastern Ukraine began in 2014 following the ousting of a pro-Russian president in Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution and Russia’s annexation of Crimea, with subsequent fighting between Russian-backed separatist forces and Ukraine’s military.
Kim expressed North Korea’s full support and solidarity with the Russian government, military, and people in conducting a “special military operation” in Ukraine to safeguard sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity.
Lavish Reception for Putin
Putin, who had hosted Kim at a summit in September in the Russian Far East to accelerate military cooperation, received a grand welcome in Pyongyang. An honor guard, including mounted soldiers, and a large civilian crowd gathered at Kim Il Sung Square by the Taedong River. The scene featured children with balloons and large portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the square’s main building.
Russia has leveraged its warming ties with North Korea to challenge Washington, while North Korea, under heavy sanctions, has gained political backing and promises of economic support and trade from Moscow. The United States and its allies have expressed concerns that Russia might aid North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, which are prohibited by U.N. Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells used by Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such weapons transfers.
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