Russia affirms it will provide military support if North Korea is attacked

Russia on October 15 defended its defense agreement with North Korea, saying it would provide military support to Pyongyang if the Northeast Asian nation were attacked under a treaty signed by the two sides.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko . (Source: TASS)

Sputnik news agency reported that at a press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that the defense cooperation agreement between Russia and North Korea has clear significance.

"Within the framework of the agreement, the words themselves do not need further clarification, these formulas are quite clear. The important thing is probably that this agreement really implies deep strategic cooperation in all areas, including ensuring security," Mr. Peskov said.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with both sides putting their armed forces on full combat alert after Pyongyang blew up several road links with South Korea and Seoul fired warning shots.

North Korea also threatened to attack at any time if South Korea repeated the situation of allowing drones to drop leaflets into the capital Pyongyang, while Seoul affirmed its readiness to respond to any situation.

Meanwhile, on the same day, TASS news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko as saying: "If any aggression occurs against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with our and North Korean laws."

According to Mr. Rudenko, the provisions in force are included in the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which was submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the State Duma (lower house) for ratification a day earlier.

"The treaty has been signed, so it is public," the Russian diplomat stressed. According to Article 4 of the treaty, in the event of aggression against one side, the other side will provide any necessary assistance, including military support.

The treaty was signed in Pyongyang on June 19, during Putin's visit to North Korea.

The Treaty stipulates that the Parties maintain and develop comprehensive strategic partnership on a long-term basis, taking into account national laws and international obligations, based on the principles of respect for each other's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and respect for other principles of international law relating to friendly relations and cooperation between States.

The parties seek to establish global strategic stability and a just multipolar international system.

The Treaty states that in the event of an imminent threat of armed aggression against one party, the other party shall, upon the request of the other party, immediately activate bilateral channels for consultations to coordinate a common position and agree on possible practical measures to assist each other in helping to eliminate the threat.

In the event that one of the parties is attacked by any state or states and thus finds itself in a state of war, the other party shall immediately provide military and other assistance in all possible ways in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with the laws of Russia and the DPRK.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-khang-dinh-se-ho-tro-quan-su-neu-trieu-tien-bi-tan-cong-290242.html