N Korea ratifies defense pact with Russia, sends 12,000 troops to ukraine conflict

North Korea solidified its military alliance with Russia on Tuesday by ratifying a landmark defense treaty, committing both nations to mutual military support. The treaty obligates each country to deploy all available resources for immediate aid if either is attacked, bolstering military ties as global tensions rise.

North Korean state media emphasized this commitment, stating the partnership would contribute to establishing “a just and multipolar new world order.”

This Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed by President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in June, also seeks to foster cooperation in atomic energy, space exploration, and economic development. “This treaty marks a new era of unwavering solidarity between Russia and North Korea,” said a spokesperson for the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The treaty will take effect upon the exchange of ratification documents, with North Korea formalizing its approval through a decree signed by Kim on Monday.

According to U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, North Korea has already deployed as many as 12,000 troops to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. “We have credible intelligence suggesting that North Korean soldiers are actively supporting Russian forces in Ukraine,” a senior U.S. official stated, adding, “This escalates the conflict’s complexity and the threat it poses to global stability.” Ukrainian officials reported recent clashes with North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces reportedly fired artillery at North Korean positions.

South Korean intelligence has also indicated that North Korea has sent over 13,000 containers of artillery and weapons to Russia since August to help replenish Moscow’s depleting stockpiles. “This level of support from North Korea is unprecedented and alarming,” said a South Korean intelligence official. “It raises serious concerns about the strategic depth of their alliance and the potential for destabilizing actions in the region.”

Amid these developments, international analysts are warning of the potential technology transfer between Russia and North Korea. “If Russia shares sensitive technology, it could accelerate North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, posing an immediate threat to regional security,” said a defense analyst from the Council on Foreign Relations. Concerns are mounting among U.S. and allied nations about the ramifications of this growing alliance for global peace and security.