Common security interests and military collaboration were discussed in Friday’s meeting between Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un and a Russian military delegation headed by Deputy Defense Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko at the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Kim sent his regards to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his people, illustrating his “invariable strong support for and firm solidarity with them over the special military operation in Ukraine,” KCNA said.

The DPRK leader stressed the importance of military cooperation between the two countries, which plays a key role “in defending regional and global peace and international justice.” He also highlighted the significance of the Pyongyang summit hosted during Putin’s visit.

During the summit, the two leaders signed a security pact aimed at strengthening their nations’ bilateral relations in tourism, trade, culture, economics, and security. Regarding the security aspect of the deal, Russia and the DPRK agreed to defend each other in the event of an attack or a war. 

“Only those who plan aggression against the DPRK or the Russian Federation can object to this clause,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last month, following the summit.

The United States and South Korea, the main rivals of the two countries, accused the DPRK of providing Russia with missiles and artillery ammunition due to its support amid the war with Ukraine. However, Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these allegations with Russia’s Foreign Ministry stating that the allegations concerning “illegal military-technological cooperation with the DPRK” are “baseless."

Russia, DPRK committed to mutual aid in case of armed aggression

Russia and the DPRK's Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides for mutual military assistance in case of armed aggression against either of the allies, the document cited by the Korean state news agency indicated.

"In the event that one of the parties comes under an armed attack by any state or several states and thus finds itself in a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military and other assistance by all means at its disposal under Article 51 of the UN Charter and in accordance with the laws of North Korea and Russia," Article 4 of the treaty read.

The third article of the indefinite treaty, which was signed on June 19 by Putin and Kim, states that in the event of an "immediate threat" of armed aggression, the allies would immediately activate bilateral communication channels to coordinate positions and agree on "practical measures" required to deal with the threat.

The fifth article stipulates that each party "undertakes not to enter into agreements with third states directed against the sovereignty, security, territorial inviolability, right to free choice and development of political, social, economic and cultural systems and other key interests of the other party, as well as not to participate in such activities."

During a visit to the DPRK, Putin indicated on June 19 that Moscow and Pyongyang have vowed to support each other against foreign aggression. He described the treaty he signed with Kim as "truly a breakthrough."

The Russian leader pointed out that the document "provides, among other things, for mutual aid in case of aggression against one of the participants," affirming that Moscow supports Pyongyang’s right to protect its security and sovereignty from potential Western aggression.

He also attributed the rising tensions in the region to the actions of the US and its allies.

In response, Tokyo and Seoul expressed concern about the agreement between Russia and the DPRK, claiming it violates the UN Security Council's resolutions.

However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov insisted that Moscow's ties with Pyongyang were in line with international rules.