Inside North Korea and Russia’s Major Defense Deal: Key Takeaways

The pact was signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin (file).

Seoul:

North Korean state media on Thursday released the full text of a mutual defense pact signed a day ago by leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Kim said would elevate bilateral ties to something akin to a “alliance”.

Formally called the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty,” the pact takes effect upon ratification unless either side suspends it.

Here are some key points from the agreement:

– Develop a permanent partnership based on the principles of mutual respect for national sovereignty, non-aggression in the territory, non-interference in internal affairs and equality, as well as other international legal principles.

– Aim for global strategic stability and a new fair and equal international order, and strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation.

– Activate communication channels without delay if either side faces a direct threat of potential armed aggression.

– Immediately provide military and other assistance, using all available means, if either party is in a state of war, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which covers the individual or collective right of States to self-defense against armed attacks.

– Do not sign any treaty with a third country that violates the fundamental interests of the other party, nor allow territories to be used by a third country that intends to violate the security and sovereignty of the other.

– Support peace-loving policies to protect sovereignty, security and stability, and actively cooperate in building a new, just and multipolar world order.

– Cooperate within the UN and other international organizations on issues of mutual interest and security, and support mutual membership of relevant entities.

– Prepare measures to take joint actions to strengthen defense capabilities with the aim of preventing war and ensuring regional and international peace and security.

– Work together to address challenges and threats in areas of strategic importance, including food, energy security, information and communications technologies, climate change, health and supply chains.

– Expand cooperation in trade, economics, investment and science and technology, support special or free economic zones on both sides, and develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology, including space, biology, peaceful use of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and information technology.

– Support regional and cross-border cooperation and create favorable conditions for the establishment of direct economic and commercial links between border regions on both sides, notably through the formation of business bodies and the holding of forums and exhibitions.

– Strengthen exchanges in the fields of agriculture, education, health, sport, culture and tourism, and seek cooperation in environmental protection, prevention of natural disasters and elimination of their consequences.

– Promote mutual recognition of product standards, test records and quality certificates, and develop specialized training and exchange of test results.

– Protect the legal rights and interests of legal entities and citizens of the other party, and cooperate in providing legal assistance, extradition and transfer of persons, as well as the return of property obtained through criminal methods.

– Deepen exchanges between legislative and law enforcement institutions.

– Oppose unilateral coercive measures that deem each party illegal and in violation of the United Nations Charter and international legal standards, and coordinate efforts to block them.

– Work together to address challenges and threats in the areas of international terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, hostage taking, illegal immigration, illegal flows of funds, money laundering, financing for the dissemination of weapons of mass destruction , illegal acts that pose a threat to the safety of civil aviation and maritime navigation, and the production and distribution of drugs and psychotropic products.

– Promote cooperation in information security, defend equal rights in the management of information and communication networks and oppose the misuse of such technologies to tarnish the dignity and image of sovereign countries and infringe their rights.

– Promote cooperation in the field of public affairs and publishing and encourage the dissemination of each other’s literature.

– Provide objective information about each other and work together to combat false information and provocative propaganda activities.

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