On June 19, North Korea and Russia held a summit meeting on the occasion of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea. They signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which included provisions for mutual support in times of crisis.
According to Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Interfax, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held an expanded summit and a one-on-one meeting with Putin in the afternoon and signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. Putin described the agreement with North Korea as a “revolutionary document that reflects the desire of both countries to elevate our relations to a new qualitative level,” applicable not only in security but also in politics, trade, investment, culture, and humanitarian areas.
Kim also emphasized, “The signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement has elevated us to a new and higher level of alliance,” adding, “Russia is our most honest friend and ally.” He further explained that “the agreement is constructive, future-oriented, peaceful, and defensive in nature, designed to protect the basic interests of the people of both countries and is in line with the changed status of both countries on the international stage.”
Notably, the agreement includes provisions for mutual support between the two countries in times of crisis. Putin said, “The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement we signed today provides mutual support if one of the agreement parties is attacked.” However, he did not make any specific remarks regarding mutual support. Putin also suggested lifting UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. He said, “I believe we need to reconsider the UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea,” and pointed out, “The stale propaganda repeatedly reproduced by Western countries can no longer conceal their aggressive geopolitical plans in regions such as Northeast Asia.”
Russia has consistently exercised its veto power against sanctions on North Korea, opposing the extension of the term of the UN Security Council Committee of Experts on North Korea, along with China.
Putin said, “The scale and intensity of various military exercises involving the U.S.’s policy of strengthening its military bases in the Northeast Asia region and the participation of South Korea and Japan are increasing significantly.” He emphasized, “This undermines peace and threatens the security of all countries in the Northeast Asia region.” He added, “We will continue to oppose how Western countries impose sanctions to maintain their dominance in politics, economics, etc.”