North Korea: North Korea on Thursday emphasized its mutual defense treaty with Russia as a "guarantee" for peace and security in Eurasia, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of leader Kim Jong-un's initial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Rodong Simun, a prominent publication by North Korea's Workers' Party, highlighted this message just a day before the country commemorates the anniversary of the 2019 summit held in Vladivostok.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the alignment between the two nations has strengthened significantly since the signing of a mutual defense treaty in Pyongyang last June. This agreement has facilitated North Korea's deployment of troops in support of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. The newspaper credited the special attention of Kim Jong-un for propelling the North Korea-Russia relationship into a "new heyday."
The inaugural Kim-Putin summit was depicted as a pivotal moment that enhanced the bilateral friendship. The event was characterized as "groundbreaking," updating the relations in accordance with contemporary demands and establishing a "solid cornerstone" for their mutual development. North Korea also highlighted the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed last year, suggesting it provides a "reliance guarantee" for peace and security across Eurasia.
The Rodong Sinmun further noted the strengthening ties through joint self-defense efforts against perceived threats from "hostile forces." It emphasized the commitment of North Korea and Russia to collaboratively construct "a new world" under the framework of the new treaty.