Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview in which he warned that Russia and North Korea would determine the nature of mutual assistance themselves, urging other countries not to interfere in their affairs.
Putin stated that Russia and North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, would decide on mutual military assistance under the signed treaty “when the time comes to decide something.”
When something needs to be resolved, we will certainly resolve it. Our friends from North Korea have a corresponding position.
In June, the two countries concluded a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang. The agreement provides that if either party is subjected to an armed attack by any state and finds itself in a state of war, the other will immediately provide military and other assistance in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Moscow and Pyongyang also pledged to establish mechanisms for joint activities to reinforce defence capabilities and prevent military conflicts.
But I want to say that this is our sovereign decision: whether we will apply something (…), whether we need it or whether we will be engaged, let’s say, only in conducting some drills, training, passing on some experience, this our business.
Recently, South Korean intelligence reported that its northern neighbour had allegedly transferred 1,500 soldiers to Russia. In response to the claim, Putin reminded that under a new treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang, the two nations could provide military assistance in the event of a suspected attack. Commenting on the satellite images, he also said at the conclusion of the BRICS summit that NATO had long been directly involved in the war in Ukraine.
As you know, our Strategic Partnership Treaty was ratified today [on 24 October], and there is Article 4. We never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes the arrangements seriously. But what and how we will do is our business within the framework of the article.
The two countries denied reports of North Korean troop movements. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the statements as “defamation and rumours,” stressing that Russia did not need military personnel from other countries. Meanwhile, North Korea’s UN mission also called the allegations “groundless stereotypical rumours.”
Russia’s lower house of parliament ratified a bilateral treaty with North Korea on Thursday.
