Putin asks MPs to approve ‘strategic partnership’ with North Korea

The treaty signed in June includes a mutual defense pact

Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally requested that the State Duma ratify the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The treaty was signed during Putin’s trip to Pyongyang in June and includes pledges by Russia and the DPRK to assist each other in case of foreign aggression. The Russian media reported on Monday that the ratification proposal had been registered in the legislature’s docket.

According to the treaty signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the two countries would “cooperate with each other to ensure lasting regional and international peace and security.”

The explanatory note attached to the bill said lawmakers that Russia and the DPRK are committed to establishing “global strategic stability and a fair multipolar international system,” and are basing their partnership on the “principles of mutual respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and other principles of international law.”

The document includes an article that states that “if one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack by any state or several states and thus finds itself in a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military and other assistance by all means at its disposal in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter” and national legislation.

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Moscow and Pyongyang also pledged not to conclude any agreements “directed against the sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, the right to free choice and development of political, social, economic and cultural systems and other key interests of the other Party” with any third countries.

Another article spells out the opposition of Russia and the DPRK to Western sanctions, describing them as the “application of unilateral coercive measures, including those of an extraterritorial nature,” illegal and contrary to international law and the UN Charter. Moscow and Pyongyang have pledged not to apply such sanctions against each other.

Last week, South Korea claimed that the treaty was already in effect and that DPRK soldiers were “highly likely” already fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed such claims as “another hoax.” Kiev and Seoul have made claims about DPRK troops on the ground before, which Putin called “complete nonsense” last month.