Russia and North Korea Sign 'Peaceful and Defensive' Pact

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Facts

• In a rare visit to North Korea — where he was greeted with cheering crowds, mounted soldiers, and the red carpet treatment on Wednesday morning — Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin was promised 'full support' in his country's war with Ukraine by his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong Un.¹
• Putin thanked Kim for support in Ukraine and said that the two countries would work towards signing a comprehensive partnership agreement.²
• Unveiling the draft document in a face-to-face meeting with Kim, Putin said the agreement 'will lay the foundation for our relations for a long-term perspective,' adding that Russia and North Korea 'have been linked by close friendship and good neighborliness for many decades.'³
• Negotiations on the fine print of the agreement were then debated in the presence of Russian and North Korean diplomats. On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov were among those in attendance. For North Korea, the delegation included Prime Minister Kim Tok Hun and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.⁴
• Hours later, Putin and Kim posed for pictures after signing the agreed deal, which they said included cooperation in security, trade, and investment, as well as creating cultural and humanitarian ties. In a move of concern to Western politicians, it also includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked.⁵
• In remarks after its signing, Kim said: 'This powerful treaty is...nothing more than a truly constructive, promising and purely peaceful and defensive document.' He added, 'I have no doubt that it will be a driving force that would accelerate work to establish a new multipolar world.'⁶

Sources: ¹NBC, ²Al Jazeera, ³TASS (a), ⁴TASS (b), ⁵Associated Press and ⁶TASS (c).

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by NBC. Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine has left him so isolated on the world stage that he's been forced to make a deal with North Korea — a reclusive, nuclear-armed state — just so that he can continue supporting his invasion. This, in addition to the vow of mutual military aid, is deeply troubling and should be condemned.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. After years of cooperation and a good relationship, this agreement simply builds on what was there before. It calls upon the countries to not rest on their laurels, and build an even closer Russia-North Korea relationship going forward. This will have huge benefits for both — including in the spheres of security, trade, and investment, and will lead to an improvement of cultural ties.

Predictions