North Korea finalises landmark defence pact with Russia

North Korea ratified a major defence pact with Russia on Tuesday, outlining mutual military aid and requiring both countries to provide each other with immediate military assistance if attacked.

Russia had already completed its side of the ratification last week after the pact was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The treaty between the two countries comes as South Korea, the US and Ukraine have said there are thousands of North Korean troops in Russia preparing to fight against Ukrainian soldiers.

Last week, the US confirmed that there were 10,000 North Korean troops in the Russian region of Kursk — where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in early August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his army are holding down around 50,000 troops in Kursk in his daily address on Monday, although did not specify whether these were North Korean or Russian troops.

US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence estimate that there are currently up to 12,000 North Korean troops engaged in small-scale fighting in Ukraine.

The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine would make the first time a third country is directly involved in the conflict, with other countries providing aid and weapons but stopping short of sending troops.

NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte said their presence marked a "dangerous escalation" of the conflict.

The deal seemingly marks another step in collaboration between the two countries. Called the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" treaty, it will take effect once both sides exchange documents on the ratification, according to Korean local media.

Alongside military aid and assistance, the pact calls for both to actively cooperate to establish a "just and multipolar new world order” and points to collaboration in areas including peaceful atomic energy, space, food supply, trade and the economy.

Some observers speculate the treaty’s ratification in both countries could signal North Korea could formally enter the Russia-Ukraine war soon.

South Korea and the US have expressed concerns about what Russia could give North Korea in return, such as possible transfers of sensitive technology to enhance North Korea's already advancing nuclear and missile programmes.

Last month, South Korea’s spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.