On October 24, the State Duma of Russia voted to ratify the agreement on partnership and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea (DPRK).

Radio Svoboda reported on this.

The document provides for mutual military assistance.

On October 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma a bill to ratify the agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un signed the agreement on June 19 in Pyongyang. The document, in particular, provides for mutual military assistance.

Thus, the fourth article of the treaty states that if one of the parties suffers an armed attack by any state or several states and finds itself in a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military and other assistance.

In addition, the amendment added a third article, which states that in the event of a threat of armed aggression against one of the parties, the parties shall immediately consult to coordinate their positions and take measures to provide assistance and eliminate this threat.

The treaty also includes Article 8, which states that “the parties shall establish mechanisms for joint activities to strengthen defense capabilities in the interests of preventing war and ensuring regional and international peace and security.”

Russia and the DPRK will also be able to conduct joint military exercises “to strengthen defense capabilities in order to prevent war.” The agreement also provides for cooperation in other areas.

The countries have deepened their cooperation since the beginning of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As previously reported, Russia plans to engage thousands of North Korean military personnel in a war against Ukraine. For this, the DPRK receives money and nuclear technology, said Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

North Korea also supplies Russia with artillery shells and ballistic missiles.