Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have signed a defense pact following a summit in Pyongyang, mandating both nations to provide immediate military aid to each other in case of war, says North Korea’s state media.
The new agreement signed on Wednesday, termed “alliance,” replaces previous deals signed in 1961 and includes a mutual defense clause. It is the strongest bond between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War.
Kim and Putin hailed the deal as a pivotal enhancement in the countries’ bilateral relations.
What does it mean for the world?
US intelligence reports suggest possible Russian support for North Korean nuclear submarine and ballistic missile technology exchanges, raising alarms about global security implications.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US officials have voiced concerns over the pact’s potential impacts, emphasizing the need for vigilance.