June 04, 2023
Evergreen

Friends forever? The China-North Korea defense treaty turns 59

The pact's anniversary means only one year until the two allies' defense commitments are due to be renewed

The Sino-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, signed on July 11, 1961, turns 59 this year.

Since the treaty comes up for renewal every twenty years, this Saturday marks 365 days until Beijing and Pyongyang must reconfirm their military commitments to one another.