Moscow, Pyongyang sign strategic partnership pact

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic deal that provides mutual defence assistance if any side faces “aggression”, says a media report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inked the comprehensive strategic partnership deal in Pyongyang after a summit on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

The summit came as Putin visited North Korea for the first time in 24 years.

Putin and Kim Jong Un described it as a major upgrade of their relations, covering security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.

"In case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of the DPRK and the Russian Federation,” Reuters reported.

hz/sa