North Korea Ratifies Landmark Mutual Defense Treaty with Russia

Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – North Korea’s official name – signed a decree to ratify the Treaty of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with Russia on Monday. The agreement will take effect when both sides exchange the ratification instruments, according to North Korea’s official news agency, KCNA, Al Jazeera reported.

The treaty, first signed in Pyongyang on June 19 during a lavish state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, obliges both countries to provide immediate military assistance to each other using “all means” necessary if either faces “aggression”.

When he agreed on the accord with Putin in June, Kim touted the agreement as a step towards elevating bilateral ties between the two countries and described the military pact as something akin to an “alliance” between Russia and North Korea.

Russia’s parliament ratified the treaty on November 6