Has North Korea Strengthened Its Defence Pact with Russia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- North Korea reaffirms commitment to its defence treaty with Russia.
- The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty was signed on June 19.
- North Korea deployed around 14,000 troops to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
- The alliance is described as having "absolute solidity" by North Korean officials.
- Military cooperation is expected to continue to deepen.
Seoul, June 19 (NationPress) On Thursday, North Korea reiterated its dedication to a mutual defence treaty with Russia, commemorating the first anniversary of the agreement amidst intensifying military collaboration between the two nations.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty on June 19, which mandates that either country must provide aid "without delay" if one faces an armed assault.
In a statement on this significant anniversary, a North Korean foreign ministry official responsible for Russian relations asserted that the nation's commitment to enhancing amicable ties with Russia is "unwavering."
The ministry characterized the treaty as a "political event of substantial strategic significance," labeling it a fundamental assurance for the current and future state of bilateral relations.
The ministry further noted that Pyongyang had demonstrated the strength of its alliance with Russia by dispatching troops to the Kursk region, emphasizing that the bilateral solidarity will persist in deepening.
According to intelligence sources, North Korea sent approximately 14,000 troops to Russia's side in the conflict against Ukraine between October of last year and February of this year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Earlier this week, Russian media indicated that North Korea is set to dispatch around 6,000 military construction workers and sappers to Russia's Kursk frontline for mine clearance and war recovery efforts.
On Thursday, North Korea's state media outlet, the Rodong Sinmun, highlighted the anniversary, describing the treaty as ushering in "a new chapter in friendship" with Moscow, attributing this outcome to the leaders' "extraordinary" guidance.
Earlier in the day, North Korea emphasized the "absolute firmness" of its alliance with Russia and reaffirmed bilateral cooperation while marking the first anniversary of the mutual defence treaty with Moscow.
The North's prominent Rodong Sinmun newspaper, which mirrors the regime's official stance, published an article celebrating the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty signed on June 19 last year in Pyongyang between leader Kim Jong-un and President Vladimir Putin.
The daily praised the treaty for opening "a new chapter in friendship" between North Korea and Russia and for being a product of the leaders' "extraordinary" leadership. It stated that both nations have "unreservedly showcased the absolute strength of their alliance."