Russia’s Federal Council on Wednesday ratified a new defence pact with North Korea, cementing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” that mandates mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either country.

The treaty, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June, represents the closest alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War.

The pact’s approval follows its earlier approval by the State Duma on October 24 and coincides with confirmation from Washington that 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, reportedly preparing to join Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This would mark North Korea’s first major military engagement since the Korean War. Both the Kremlin and Pyongyang have broadly rejected Western claims of troop deployments, saying their military cooperation abides by international law. 

This week, Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Chloe Son Hui, who  reaffirmed Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s campaign in Ukraine: “for the righteous struggle of the Russian army and people in defense of sovereign rights and their country’s security interests.”

Meanwhile, Western and South Korean officials have raised concerns about the possible transfer of Russian technology to advance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

On Tuesday, Pyongyang fired short-range ballistic missiles, signaling its military might amid the US election.

Also read: Russia | Ratification of the strategic partnership treaty with North Korea