Signing of Strategic Partnership Agreement Following Summit Meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited North Korea, announced that the strategic partnership agreement signed with North Korea includes a clause for mutual support in case one party is invaded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, early on the 19th and is shaking hands with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un. [Pyongyang, Korean Central News Agency, Image source=Yonhap News]
According to Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax on the 19th (local time), President Putin, after concluding the North Korea-Russia summit held at the Kumsusan Guesthouse in Pyongyang and signing the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, stated, "The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides mutual support if either country is invaded."
President Putin described the agreement as "essentially defensive in nature." He emphasized, "With this 'breakthrough' agreement with North Korea, the bilateral relationship will reach a 'new level.'"
He also said, "Russia does not rule out advancing military and technical cooperation with North Korea," adding, "We will cooperate in the military field within the framework of the new agreement." President Putin further stressed, "The two countries will not tolerate threats from foreign parties" and "will resist sanctions motivated by political reasons."
Chairman Kim and President Putin held a one-on-one meeting lasting about two hours during the North Korea-Russia summit and signed this agreement. The agreement signed on this day is expected to replace the treaties of 1961 and 2000, as well as the joint declarations following the North Korea-Russia summits in Pyongyang and Moscow in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Going forward, North Korea and Russia are expected to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of fields.
Countries with which Russia has comprehensive strategic partnership relations include Vietnam, Egypt, Mongolia, and South Africa. With China, Russia has established a "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership for a New Era." On the 17th, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that if a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement is concluded, it will reflect "the current global geopolitical situation and the level of bilateral relations between North Korea and Russia," considering security, international politics, and economic relations between the two countries.
He added, "Naturally, it will follow all fundamental principles of international law, will have no provocative nature, and will not be directly aimed at any country," emphasizing, "It will focus on ensuring greater stability in the Northeast Asia region."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
