North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Wednesday that relations between the North and Russia have been upgraded to the level of alliance, as he announced the results of summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim made the remark during a joint news conference after signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that, according to Russian news reports, commits each other to provide mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of them.
“Relations between our two nations rose to a new high of alliance,” Kim said. “It is greatly satisfying to conclude a great treaty that befits a changed international situation and the strategic nature of new DPRK-Russia relations.”
Putin said Russia does not rule out military-technical cooperation with North Korea, and that the U.N. sanctions regime against North Korea should be revised, according to Russian news reports.
The two leaders met again nine months after they held a summit in Russia’s Far East last September, as Russia, under interna
tional sanctions over its war with Ukraine, has been bolstering military and other cooperation with North Korea.
Source: Yonhap News Agency