Russia and North Korea have promised mutual aid in case of an attack – NBC 6 South Florida

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have signed a new partnership agreement that includes a promise of mutual assistance in the event of an attack on either country. Both countries are facing an escalation of conflicts with the West.

It was not clear what kind of support the agreement, described as a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” would require.

Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years comes amid growing concerns over an arms deal in which the country will supply Moscow with much-needed munitions for the war in Ukraine in return for economic aid and technology transfers that could exacerbate the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.

After the signing ceremony, Putin said, according to Russian state media, that security and international issues had taken up a large part of the talks with Kim. He was also quoted as saying that Russia would not rule out military-technical cooperation with North Korea under the agreement.

Kim was quoted as saying the agreement was peaceful and defensive in nature. “I have no doubt that it will be a driving force accelerating the creation of a new multipolar world,” he was quoted as saying.

Russia and North Korea also signed agreements on cooperation in the fields of healthcare, medical education and science, Russian state media reported, citing the Kremlin’s website.

Upon his arrival in the evening, Putin was met by Kim, who shook his hand, hugged him twice, and then escorted him in a limousine from the airport in a huge motorcade through the brightly lit streets of the capital, where buildings were decorated with giant Russian flags and portraits of Putin.

After spending the rest of the night in a state guesthouse, Putin attended a lavish welcoming ceremony in the city’s main square, where he and Kim saluted an honor guard and walked a red carpet. Kim then introduced key members of his leadership, including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, top adviser and ruling party secretary Jo Yong Won, and the leader’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.

The square was filled with tens of thousands of spectators, including children with balloons and people wearing matching T-shirts in the red, white and blue of the Russian and North Korean flags. Huge crowds lined the streets to greet Putin’s motorcade, chanting “Welcome Putin” and waving flowers and North Korean and Russian flags.

At the beginning of the talks, Putin thanked Kim for supporting North Korea in the war in Ukraine. He described this war, among other things, as a “fight against the imperialist hegemonic policy of the USA and its satellite states towards the Russian Federation”.

He said the two planned to sign a “new fundamental document that will form the basis of our long-term relations,” acknowledging ties that he said date back to the Soviet army’s fight against the Japanese military on the Korean peninsula in the final moments of World War II and Moscow’s support for Pyongyang during the Korean War.

Kim said the “fiery friendship” between Moscow and Pyongyang is even closer today than in Soviet times and pledged “full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in conducting the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.”

Kim has used similar language in the past, repeatedly saying that North Korea supported what he called a just measure to protect Russian interests and blaming the crisis on the “hegemonic policies” of the US-led West. What that support might look like was not immediately clear.

North Korea is subject to severe sanctions by the UN Security Council because of its weapons program, and Russia is also facing sanctions from the United States and its Western partners because of its aggression in Ukraine.

U.S. and South Korean officials accuse the North of supplying Russia with artillery, missiles and other military equipment for use in Ukraine, possibly in return for key military technology and aid. Both Pyongyang and Moscow deny the allegations about North Korean arms supplies, which would violate several U.N. Security Council sanctions that Russia previously approved.

Along with China, Russia has also provided political cover for Kim’s ongoing efforts to expand his nuclear arsenal and has repeatedly blocked US-led efforts to impose new UN sanctions on him over the North’s weapons tests.

In March, a Russian veto at the United Nations ended oversight of UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program, prompting West accusations that Moscow was trying to evade scrutiny by buying weapons from Pyongyang for use in Ukraine.

Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Pyongyang that the two leaders exchanged gifts after the talks. Putin presented Kim with a Russian-made Aurus limousine and other gifts, including a tea set and a naval officer’s dagger. Ushakov said Kim’s gifts to Putin also included works of art depicting the Russian leader.

Russian media previously reported that Kim would host a reception and Putin was expected to leave for Vietnam on Wednesday evening.

In Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Putin’s visit to North Korea showed how Russia is “desperately trying to build and strengthen relationships with countries that can provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression it started against Ukraine”.

The North may also seek to increase labor exports to Russia and other illegal activities to gain foreign currency and circumvent UN Security Council sanctions, according to a recent report by the Institute for National Security Strategy, a South Korean intelligence think tank. There will likely be talks on expanding cooperation in agriculture, fishing and mining, as well as further promoting Russian tourism in North Korea, the institute said.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have reached their highest level in years. Kim’s weapons tests as well as the joint military exercises of the US, South Korea and Japan are increasing in a cycle of mutual insults.

The two Koreas also waged a Cold War-style psychological war, with North Korea throwing tons of garbage at the South using balloons and the South spreading anti-North Korean propaganda over loudspeakers.