Putin and Kim sign defence pact amid growing western tension

Russia and North Korea have signed a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement, concluded on Wednesday by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, includes a mutual defence clause under which both parties are to provide each other support in the event of external aggression.

Vladimir Putin landed in North Korea on Tuesday. This is the first visit the Russian dictator has made to the country in 24 years. The leader of Russia met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Wednesday and signed the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership.

- The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed today includes, among other things, mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement - Putin declared after talks with the North Korean leader.

The Russian dictator also announced that Russia does not rule out developing military-technical cooperation with North Korea under this agreement. Russian media reported that issues of security and international affairs occupied a large part of the meeting with Kim Jong Un.

The Kremlin had earlier announced that a new "fundamental document" had been prepared to serve as the basis for relations between the two countries. The North Korean leader is said to have declared that the agreement is "of a peaceful and defensive nature." Russia and North Korea also signed agreements on cooperation in healthcare, medical education, and science.

- We oppose the practice of applying politically motivated sanctions and restrictions. Such illegal actions only undermine the global economic and political system - Putin said at the end of the meeting with Kim Jong Un.

In 2022, after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, relations between Moscow and Pyongyang tightened, mainly due to Western sanctions on Moscow and Russia's attempts to circumvent these restrictions.

The United States and South Korea accused the authorities in Pyongyang of transferring weapons to Russia for use during the war in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations. Last year, the countries announced deeper military cooperation during Kim's visit to Vladivostok, where he met with Putin in September.

South Korea's defence ministry estimated at the end of February this year that since that meeting, North Korea has sent about 210,000 cubic centimetres of ammunition to Russia. According to experts, in exchange for military support, North Korea is receiving Russian technologies necessary for developing its missile and nuclear programmes, violating UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.

The June trip is Putin's first visit to North Korea since July 2000, when he held talks with then-leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father.