North Korea has ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia, a pact signed by their leaders in June that commits each country to aid the other in the event of an armed attack, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Tuesday. The treaty, now officially in effect, requires both sides to provide military and other assistance using all available means during wartime. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed the decree for ratification on Monday, while Russian President Vladimir Putin had already enacted it into law.
 
The agreement has drawn widespread international criticism amid growing military collaboration between the two nations. North Korea has reportedly sent over 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, with U.S. and Ukrainian officials confirming their involvement in combat near the Ukrainian border, particularly in the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently stated that North Korean forces have suffered casualties during engagements with Ukrainian troops, describing their involvement as a new destabilizing factor in global conflicts.
 
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin hailed the treaty as a significant milestone in strengthening their bilateral relationship, likening it to an alliance during their June summit. The agreement underscores their deepening ties amidst shared opposition to Western nations and sanctions.
 
The international community, including Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv, has condemned the military cooperation, warning that such actions exacerbate instability. Observers are concerned that the treaty and troop deployments signal a new phase of heightened global tensions, with implications for the ongoing war in Ukraine and beyond.
 
This development follows months of increased engagement between Russia and North Korea, with both nations seeking strategic and military advantages through their cooperation. The treaty solidifies their alignment, raising concerns over the broader geopolitical impact of their alliance.