Agreement between Russia and North Korea raises a number of questions – AP

The agreement between Russia and North Korea raises a number of questions, – AP Irina Chebotnikova

Agreement between dictatorships is a signal for democracy/Getty Images

There is an opinion that the DPRK and Russia have completely restored the military alliance of the Cold War era, which was concluded in 1961 between Korea and the USSR. But the military commitments of the countries are not exactly clear.

On June 19, Russia and the DPRK signed a strategic partnership agreement. On June 20, Putin said that he would not use soldiers from the DPRK for the war in Ukraine.

What is known about the agreement between the DPRK and Russia

Most of the discussions surrounding the partnership agreement revolve around the clause that obliges mutual assistance. According to North Korean state media, the section states that if one country is invaded and placed in a state of war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other assistance.” But it also says that such actions must comply with the laws of both countries and Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of a UN member state to self-defense, writes AP.

And this interesting, because both countries are under UN sanctions. Russia probably wanted to limit its obligations. But in general, analysts believe that we should worry not about whether Russia will intervene in the war or not, but about the fact that the parties are trading in weapons. The DPRK supplies the aggressor with ammunition, in return the Russians transfer military technology.

The agreement can be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps its precise content will only become clear when the need arises to put the obligations into practice. However, Russia does not have troops in North Korea, and these countries do not have experience in joint military activities and coordination.

Kim Jong-un said that the agreement raised bilateral relations to the level of an alliance, but Putin was more restrained and these words were not heard from him. Also Russia did not publish the text of the document.

But South Korea has already responded to the warming of relations between the countries. They said they would review the policy of limiting support to Ukraine to non-lethal supplies. Previously, South Korea did not supply weapons to Kyiv.