The North Korea-Russia partnership agreement is now in effect, raising concerns and potentially leading to nuclear escalation.

The mutual assistance agreement signed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June 2024 came into effect on December 4. This was reported by the Strategic Communications Center, Spravdi, on December 5. They explain how the alliance between Russia and North Korea escalates the war.

The military alliance between Russia and North Korea is considered a significant step in escalation by Moscow, leading to the internationalization of the war in Ukraine, according to the Strategic Communications Center. The text of the agreement states that in the event of a threat of armed aggression against either country, consultations will be held to coordinate possible measures for providing assistance.

In the case of an armed attack on one of the countries, the other will immediately provide military and other assistance. Experts believe that Russia is using this clause to "invite" North Korean troops to the Kursk region. Formally, they are "defending" the Russian Federation from a Ukrainian invasion—at least until they find themselves on Ukrainian territory.

Moreover, the cooperation between the regimes of Putin and Kim Jong Un poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other countries, particularly South Korea and the USA. NATO is also closely monitoring the alliance of these authoritarian leaders. For instance, on December 4, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is supporting North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, as noted by Spravdi. This means that the partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia raises concerns for the Alliance and contributes to nuclear escalation.

It was warned by the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) back in October that Moscow is transferring certain technologies to Pyongyang for the creation of low-yield tactical nuclear weapons and underwater missile launch systems. According to HUR, by early December, Russia had used about 60 North Korean missiles against Ukraine. Approximately half of these lost their trajectories and exploded in the air. Additionally, Ukrainian intelligence estimates that around 12,000 soldiers from North Korea have been deployed to the Kursk region.

The strategic partnership agreement between Russia and North Korea is indefinite. It includes commitments from both parties not to enter into agreements with third countries that are aimed against each other's sovereignty and security. Russia and North Korea also agreed not to support unilateral coercive measures against each other if imposed by a third party and to jointly confront multiple challenges in food and energy security.

North Korea's Involvement in the War in Ukraine

North Korea has sided with Russia in the war against Ukraine. It not only supplies weapons to the aggressor country but also sends its soldiers to reinforce the Russian army. There is no dialogue with the countries that support Ukraine. Kim Jong Un has even accused the USA of provoking and escalating tensions worldwide.

It is known that Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a document regarding military support. North Korea is a relatively small country, but its army is nearly the same size as Russia's. Therefore, this fact should not be overlooked, as it can send between 10,000 and 100,000 troops to Ukraine. This would pose a huge problem for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Currently, around 20,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting on the side of Russia. They have been seen both in the Kursk region of Russia and in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. They are dressed in the uniforms of the Russian army but are kept separate from the Russians. Not only do they have different accommodations, but they also receive different food and entertainment. They are treated as "technical advisors" rather than regular soldiers.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to "steadfastly" support Russia in the war against Ukraine. On November 29, a meeting took place between Kim and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. At the end of this meeting, the parties reached a consensus on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

On October 23, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that North Korea is not helping Russia out of charity. The expansion of cooperation is the result of the mutual assistance agreement that Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June 2024.

This involves Russian money and know-how in exchange for South Korean people and missiles. Russia, according to the chief intelligence officer, is helping North Korea circumvent sanctions and strengthen its nuclear potential. In his opinion, Moscow is transferring certain technologies to Pyongyang specifically for low-yield tactical nuclear weapons and underwater missile launch systems.