2024-11-12 03:38:00
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has ratified a major defense treaty with Russia that provides for mutual military assistance, state media reported Tuesday.
The United States, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.
Russia completed its ratification of the treaty last week, after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed it in June. It is considered the largest defense agreement between the two countries since the end of the Cold War.
KCNA said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty will take effect after the two sides exchange ratification documents.
North Korea ratified the treaty through a decree signed by the country’s president on Monday, using one of Kim Jong Un’s titles, the NCCA said.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry said North Korea’s National Assembly, known as the Supreme People’s Assembly, has the power to ratify treaties, but Kim Jong Un can ratify major treaties unilaterally.
The treaty requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance if either side is attacked. Some observers have speculated that ratification of the treaty by both countries could signal that North Korea will soon officially join the war in Ukraine.
As many as 12,000 North Korean troops may have been sent to Russia as part of the June treaty, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments. Ukrainian officials said last week that skirmishes broke out between Ukrainian and North Korean troops, with Ukrainian troops shooting at North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk border region.
North Korea sending troops could escalate the war that began in Ukraine nearly three years ago. South Korea, the United States and their partners are also concerned about what Russia will offer North Korea in return. Russia’s potential transfer of sensitive technology to enhance North Korea’s already advanced nuclear weapons and missile programs is an alarming development for the United States and its allies.
North Korea and Russia have been significantly increasing military and other cooperation. South Korea’s spy agency said last month that North Korea has shipped more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its depleted weapons stockpiles.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview Segment: North Korea’s Defense Pact with Russia**
**Host:** Good evening, and welcome to our special segment on international relations. Today, we have with us Dr. Emily Cho, an expert in East Asian geopolitics and a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Security. Dr. Cho, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Cho:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** North Korea has recently ratified a major defense treaty with Russia, marked as one of the largest since the Cold War. Can you explain the significance of this treaty?
**Dr. Cho:** Absolutely. This Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signals a deepening military and political alliance between North Korea and Russia. Given the current tensions in the region and the ongoing war in Ukraine, this partnership not only enhances North Korea’s military capabilities but also provides a lifeline for Russia in terms of manpower and resources.
**Host:** We’ve heard reports about North Korea sending troops to support Russia in Ukraine. What does this mean for global security?
**Dr. Cho:** The implication is significant. It suggests a shift in the balance of power in the region. North Korea’s involvement could embolden Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, potentially prolonging the conflict. Moreover, it raises concerns for the United States and its allies, particularly South Korea, as this alliance may embolden North Korea’s aggressive posture towards its neighbors.
**Host:** With the United States and South Korea expressing alarm, how might they respond to this treaty?
**Dr. Cho:** We can expect a multifaceted response. Both nations may enhance their military readiness and intensify joint exercises. Additionally, diplomatic efforts may increase to isolate North Korea further. Sanctions could also become more stringent, targeting resources that facilitate this military cooperation.
**Host:** What are the potential long-term effects of this partnership on North Korea’s regime?
**Dr. Cho:** Strengthening ties with Russia could solidify Kim Jong Un’s regime domestically; however, it may also trap North Korea in a reliance on Russian support, limiting its options in international diplomacy. Over the long run, it could lead to increased isolation, but it might also provide the North with the confidence to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy.
**Host:** It sounds like we are entering a complicated phase in international relations with this treaty. Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Cho.
**Dr. Cho:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a pivotal moment in geopolitics that will require close monitoring.
**Host:** And thank you to our viewers for joining us in this discussion. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
