The Kremlin stressed on Tuesday October 15 that the Russia-North Korea mutual defense pact, signed in June by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, was “clear”, in a context of growing tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul and while kyiv assures that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside the Russians. This text was submitted to the Duma for ratification. One more step towards the entry into force of a treaty with potential consequences on several fronts.
3 mins
“ The wording of the treaty does not require any clarification, it is clear “, declared Dmitri Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, when asked about the possibility of Russia’s involvement in the event of open armed conflict between the two Koreas. Article 4 of the Treaty provides: immediate military assistance » in the event of armed attack. Mutual defense applies in cases “ of invasion » or “ formal declaration of war “. The clarification concerning article 4 of the agreement between Pyongyang and Moscow is important at a time when the Kremlin only speaks of “ special operation » for his war in Ukraine. Unlike the two Koreas which are officially at war.
Also readNorth Korea/Russia: Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin sign strategic partnership agreement
The North Korean army has dynamited sections of roads on Tuesday formerly used for cross-border exchanges with South Korea, according to Seoul, which says it has for its part carried out “response shots”, a new episode in the rise in tensions between the two countries.
Russia and North Korea have grown significantly closer since Moscow launched an offensive against Ukraine in February 2022, forging an anti-Western alliance. Pyongyang is notably accused by the West of supplying quantities of shells and missiles to the Russian army and by kyiv of sending men there.
Also readWar in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky accuses North Korea of helping Russia
To enter into force and provide a possible legal basis for sending North Korean munitions and troops to Russia, the pact must be ratified by the parliaments of both countries. But Pyongyang has given no sign in this direction.
Furthermore, contrary to the Kremlin’s assertions, the outlines of the text are vague on the nature of the aid and the collaboration that the two countries owe if one of them faces a direct threat. Thus, the treaty does not specify whether North Korea benefits from the Russian nuclear umbrella.
Chinese caution
China’s view of this partnership between its neighbors is also mysterious. An essential economic and strategic partner of the two countries, it remains discreet on the subject. “ Tensions on the peninsula go against the common interests of all parties, and the top priority is to avoid further escalation “, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Tuesday during a regular press briefing. Beijing offers indirect support for North Korean arms transfers to Russia and blocks any new Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang. But it has more to gain from maintaining the status quo in the region than its turbulent neighbors.