Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, announced his intention to support North Korea in the event of an invasion. This marked the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with the country.
According to Russian media outlets such as Sputnik, Putin announced the agreement following a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Kumsusan Palace in Pyongyang on the 19th.
At a joint press conference, Putin stated, “The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement,”
“In connection with this, Russia does not exclude for itself the development of military-technical cooperation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” he added.
Putin arrived in Pyongyang around 2 a.m. and joined a noon welcome ceremony held in Kim Il Sung Square. The two leaders then proceeded to the guesthouse for an expanded meeting with officials from both countries, which lasted 90 minutes. This was followed by a one-on-one summit for approximately two hours. During the expanded meeting, Putin mentioned that he had prepared an agreement to redefine the relationship between the two countries, stating, “Today, a new foundation document has been prepared, which will form the basis of our relations for the long term.”
The agreement signed by both parties encompasses mutual support and cooperation in health, medicine, education, science, and constructing a bridge over the Tumen River.
