North Korea and Russia Alliance: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un referred to the new relations as an “alliance” when he and Russian President Vladimir Putin inked a deal on Wednesday that expands their military cooperation and includes a mutual defense guarantee to support one another in the event of an attack.
After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, Kim announced at an unusual press appearance that a “comprehensive strategic partnership” had been signed, which the Russian leader claimed had defensive features.
On his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, Putin stated, “Among other things, the comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement.”
Washington and Seoul are keenly monitoring Putin’s visit, which has raised concerns about the strengthening of military connections between North Korea and Russia and is expected to change decades of relations between the two countries at a time when they are both facing international isolation.
China, the primary source of diplomatic and economic support for the North and a growing Moscow ally has not responded strongly.
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Kim described the agreement as being “strictly peace-loving and defensive” and stated that it would increase collaboration in the fields of politics, economics, and defense.
“Our two countries’ relations have been elevated to the new level of an alliance,” Kim stated.
Kim gave “unconditional support” for “all of Russia’s policies” at the beginning of their conference, including “a full support and firm alliance” for Putin’s conflict with Ukraine.
According to NDTV, Putin declared that Moscow was opposing the US and its allies’ hegemonic, imperialist policies.
The official Russian news agency RIA quoted Putin as saying, “We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the direction of Ukraine,” at the start of the negotiations.
Russia was subject to Western sanctions overseen by the United States following Putin’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, which Moscow referred to as a “special military operation.”
Unwavering and unconditional support
Pyongyang lavishly welcomed Putin, who had hosted Kim for a summit that advanced the two nations’ military cooperation in September in the Russian Far East.
A sizable throng of civilians gathered in Kim Il Sung Square, near the Taedong River that flows through the capital, along with an honour guard made up of mounted soldiers. The centrepiece of the square included enormous images of the two leaders adorned with national flags, and youngsters carrying balloons.
Following their ride, Kim and Putin had summit negotiations in Kumsusan Palace.
Previously, Kim stated that a more robust strategic conversation with Russia was necessary due to the world’s growingly complex security landscape.
“And I want to reaffirm that we will unconditionally and unwaveringly support all of Russia’s policies,” Kim said to Putin.
The nation of North Korea “expresses full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, as well as territorial integrity,” added Kim.
Putin had arrived earlier in the day at Pyongyang’s airport. The two exchanged “pent-up inmost thoughts” during the drive to the state guest house, according to North Korean official media, after Kim greeted him with a hug.
According to North Korea’s official news agency, KCNA, the two countries’ cooperation was an “engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world,” and Putin’s visit demonstrated the tenacity and resiliency of their friendship and unity.
Russia has been nudging Washington with its improving relations with North Korea, while North Korea, which is subject to harsh sanctions, has gained Moscow’s political support as well as assurances of trade and economic assistance.
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The United States and its allies have accused Pyongyang of supplying ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has employed in its war in Ukraine. They express concern that Russia might advance North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, both of which are against UN Security Council resolutions.
Moscow and Pyongyang have rejected the transfer of weapons.
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The North did not hold the elaborate ceremony it did for Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit in 2019; instead, Putin arrived in Pyongyang after an hours-long delay and met Kim alone on the red carpet.
The two then travelled to the Kumsusan State Guest House in Putin’s Aurus limousine, which was built in Russia.
Images released by the state media featured Putin pictures lining Pyongyang’s streets and a neon sign that said “Welcome Putin” above the front of the 101-story Ryugyong Hotel, an incomplete pyramid-shaped building.
Putin complimented Pyongyang before his visit for fending off what he claimed to be economic pressure, blackmail, and threats from the United States. This is a hint that Russia, a member of the U.N. Security Council with a veto, is reevaluating its strategy toward North Korea.
