On 18 June 2024, in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin sign the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — the defence and cooperation pact between North Korea and Russia.

Article 4 provides military assistance “with all means in its possession” if either party is under armed attack, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Article 3 requires immediate consultations if an armed-invasion threat arises.

The text also covers trade, investment, science and peaceful nuclear energy, and denounces unilateral coercive measures. Ratified by Russia and North Korea in November 2024; in force from 4 December 2024.

Signing comes amid deepening military ties and the war in Ukraine. Kim called it the “strongest ever treaty” between the two countries.

For Northeast Asia, 18 June 2024 marks the renewal of the Pyongyang–Moscow security alliance.

The official text was published by North Korean and Russian authorities.

The Treaty of 18 June 2024 remains the comprehensive strategic partnership pact between North Korea and Russia.

Image: Pyongyang / Moscow; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Treaty text: Visit of the President of the Russian Federation to the DPRK (Kremlin.ru).