Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Tuesday that Russia would provide military assistance to North Korea if it comes under attack based on a treaty the two nations signed earlier this year.
“If an act of aggression is committed against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with our legislation, in accordance with the DPRK’s legislation,” Rudenko told Russia’s TASS news agency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a strategic partnership pact back in June to boost military ties, which included a clause requiring the countries to come to each other’s aid if one is attacked.
According to Article 4 of the treaty, Russia and North Korea “shall immediately provide military and other assistance” if one “falls into a state of war due to armed invasion from an individual or multiple states.” The treaty stipulates the assistance will be provided in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which gives member states the right of “individual or collective self-defense” in the event of an attack.
“The treaty is signed, so it is public,” Rudenko said. “It has Article 4, which deals precisely with the issue of mutual assistance in case of aggression, that the sides, in case of aggression against one of the sides, will provide each other with any necessary assistance, including military assistance.”
The comments from Rudenko come amid soaring tensions on the Korean peninsula as the North is threatening war with the South over drone flights near Pyongyang. South Korea has responded to the warnings, saying it’s “fully ready” to face an attack from the North.
Rudenko’s comments also come amid rumors that North Korean troops are fighting in Ukraine. So far, the claims have only been made by Ukrainian intelligence and President Volodomyr Zelensky, and Russia has denied the allegations.
