North Korea Finalizes Major Defense Pact with Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict
North Korea has ratified a significant defense treaty with Russia, promising mutual military support, according to North Korea’s state media on Tuesday.
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea has ratified a significant defense treaty with Russia, promising mutual military support, according to North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. This development comes as the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine claim that North Korea has dispatched thousands of troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The treaty was signed in June by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with Russia completing its own ratification last week. This agreement, known as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, marks the most extensive defense collaboration between the two countries since the Cold War.
The treaty will come into force once ratification documents are exchanged, as reported by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). On Monday, Kim ratified the treaty under his authority as president of state affairs, bypassing North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, which typically approves such agreements.
The treaty commits both nations to provide immediate military assistance if either comes under attack. Additionally, it calls for joint efforts toward establishing a “just and multipolar new world order,” with cooperation across areas like peaceful nuclear energy, space exploration, food security, and trade.
Some analysts suggest that North Korea’s ratification may indicate its potential formal entry into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Intelligence from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine estimates that around 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, likely under the June treaty. Ukrainian officials recently reported small-scale skirmishes between Ukrainian and North Korean forces along Russia's Kursk border region.
The deployment of North Korean forces could further escalate the nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine, raising concerns among the U.S., South Korea, and their allies. Observers worry that Russia may supply North Korea with advanced technology in exchange for its support, potentially aiding North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has expanded rapidly. South Korea’s intelligence agency reported that, since August 2023, North Korea has supplied over 13,000 containers of weapons, including artillery and missiles, to Russia, helping to replenish its weapon stocks.
At DayMark News, we are committed to exposing the rise of authoritarianism and its threat to democracy. In a time when disinformation spreads like wildfire and democratic institutions face relentless attacks, we need your support to keep the fight alive.
Investigative journalism is our weapon against authoritarian ideologies. We delve deep to uncover the truths others would rather keep hidden, while providing actionable resources to empower individuals like you to defend our democracy.
We believe in transparency, integrity, and the power of a well-informed public. But maintaining a platform dedicated to fearless reporting and mobilization requires resources. We refuse to bow to corporate interests or compromise our mission. That's why we turn to you — our community.
Every donation, big or small, helps us continue our work. With your support, we can produce the in-depth analyses, breaking news, and educational tools needed to resist the rise of extremist movements and protect democratic values for future generations.
This fight belongs to all of us. Together, we can ensure that democracy not only survives but thrives. Please consider making a contribution today to keep DayMark News strong and independent.
Donate Now: Because Democracy Can't Defend Itself.
