Immediate Effect Upon Exchange of Ratification Documents Between Both Countries
No Expiration Period
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with North Korea. The treaty stipulates that if either Russia or North Korea is subjected to an armed invasion and enters a state of war, the other party will immediately provide military support. With Putin's signature, only the exchange of ratification documents between the two countries remains before the treaty takes effect.
According to reports from Russian news agencies such as TASS on the 9th (local time), the treaty does not have an expiration date. Three days ago, the Federation Council of Russia (the upper house) unanimously approved the ratification bill for this treaty submitted by President Putin.
Once both sides exchange ratification documents, the treaty will come into immediate effect. However, it has not been publicly announced whether North Korea has ratified and signed the treaty. Since important treaties can be ratified or annulled by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as stipulated in the constitution, there is expected to be no significant difficulty until the exchange of ratification documents.
This treaty was concluded during the Pyongyang summit between President Putin and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June. It is regarded as elevating the relationship between the two sides to the level of a military alliance.
The full text released by North Korea shows that the treaty consists of 23 articles. It includes provisions stating that "if one party is subjected to an armed attack by another country or multiple countries and enters a state of war, the other party shall immediately mobilize all available means to provide military and other support in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of North Korea and Russia." The final Article 23 states that the treaty will be maintained indefinitely and that termination requires one year's prior written notice.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, and Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea
Our government has expressed serious concerns about the ratification of the treaty amid the deployment of North Korean troops. The government plans to take corresponding measures depending on the progress of Russia-North Korea military cooperation.
Meanwhile, North Korea has not issued an official response to the news of Donald Trump's re-election as president. Although North Korea has not immediately commented on past U.S. election results, attention is focused on the fact that the opponent is President-elect Trump, who has previously flaunted his friendship with Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
