On Wednesday, the leaders of North Korea and Russia formalized an agreement enhancing their military collaboration, which includes a mutual defense commitment to support each other in the event of an attack. This marks the most substantial strengthening of their relationship since the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Kim Jong Un described the agreement as an “alliance.”
During a rare press conference after meeting President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, Kim said Russia had shown a “fierce friendship,” and the new ties were as strong as during the Cold War. He also praised Russia’s support for his regime in Ukraine, with Putin saying that it had provided “unwavering solidarity” in the fight against separatists in the country’s east.
For his part, Putin hailed the “comprehensive strategic partnership” they had established, saying it would lead to closer political, economic, and military cooperation. He described it as a “driver force” that would accelerate the formation of a multipolar world order.
Although it is not clear exactly what kind of military assistance the pact provides, Western officials fear that it could result in the transfer of sensitive technology from North Korea to Moscow, which could boost the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine and further fuel tensions on the Korean Peninsula. They have already detected more than a thousand shipping containers of munitions and artillery shells being sent from North Korea to Russia, and they are concerned about the possibility that such transfers could enable the North to target targets inside Russia itself.
It is unclear how long the new ties will last, but they will likely continue to be a significant issue in US-North Korean relations. The White House has made clear that it will not tolerate any such militarization of the peninsula, and officials have been tasked with determining whether Putin’s visit was a temporary marriage of convenience or indicative of a more permanent military alliance similar to what existed during the Cold War.
During his visit to Pyongyang, Putin was accompanied by the heads of several ministries, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Shoigu, and the head of the country’s Central Intelligence Agency, Andrei Belousov. During the trip, Putin and Kim discussed strengthening the bilateral relations, including their military and intelligence-sharing. They agreed to boost their cooperation to “accelerate the formation of a multipolar world.” Analysts say that Russia has already begun improving extended deterrence cooperation with South Korea and Japan to counter the United States’ growing influence in Asia. However, the North’s limited economy and international pariah status make it unlikely to provide much more than symbolic aid to its more giant ally. Until that changes, experts say, the ties will likely remain a “marriage of convenience” and not a lasting alliance.
