Fact Check: North Korea and Russia Signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty
What We Know
On June 19, 2024, North Korea and Russia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in Pyongyang during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This treaty aims to establish a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs (Russia-North Korea Relations, The State Duma ratified the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty). The treaty includes provisions for military cooperation, economic collaboration, and mutual assistance in case of armed aggression (North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership).
The ratification process was completed by the Russian State Duma on October 24, 2024, and subsequently by the Federation Council on November 6, 2024. President Putin signed the treaty into law on November 9, 2024, and it officially came into force on December 4, 2024, after the exchange of ratification instruments (North Korea-Russia treaty comes into force, KCNA says, The treaty between Russia and North Korea signals a new era).
Analysis
The claim that North Korea and Russia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty is true. The treaty was signed by both leaders and encompasses various areas of cooperation, including defense and security. The language used in the treaty reflects a significant commitment to mutual support, particularly in military contexts, which is a notable development in the geopolitical landscape (North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership).
The sources used to substantiate this claim are credible. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a well-regarded nonpartisan organization that provides information to Congress, ensuring a level of reliability in its reporting (Russia-North Korea Relations). The official statements from the Russian State Duma and the Kremlin also lend additional credibility, as they are primary sources of governmental action (The State Duma ratified the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, Law on ratification of Russia-DPRK comprehensive strategic partnership).
Moreover, the treaty's details, including its military clauses and the context of its signing, have been reported by reputable news outlets, which further corroborate the information (North Korea-Russia treaty comes into force, KCNA says, The treaty between Russia and North Korea signals a new era).
However, it is essential to note that while the sources are credible, the geopolitical implications of such treaties can be subject to interpretation and may reflect the biases of the reporting entities. Nonetheless, the factual basis of the treaty's existence and its ratification is well-supported.
Conclusion
The claim that North Korea and Russia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty is true. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the treaty was signed, ratified, and has officially come into effect, marking a significant development in the relationship between the two nations.
Sources
- Russia-North Korea Relations
- The State Duma ratified the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty
- North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
- North Korea-Russia treaty comes into force, KCNA says
- The treaty between Russia and North Korea signals a new era
- Law on ratification of Russia-DPRK comprehensive strategic partnership
