Don’t believe the hype: Russia-North Korea defense pact won’t upend status quo | NK News
NK News Logo
November 07, 2024
Columns

Don’t believe the hype: Russia-North Korea defense pact won’t upend status quo

Moscow is an unreliable treaty ally that shirks security promises, and two sides have few ways to expand economic ties

Russia and North Korea dropped a diplomatic bombshell last week when they signed the new Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, featuring a provision in Article 4 that effectively restores the formal military alliance between the two countries previously established under the 1961 Soviet-DPRK treaty.

In addition, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un made a number of promises during the summit about future cooperation between their countries, in areas ranging from defense development to science, medicine and trade.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.