Russia, North Korea conclude new treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership

Russia and North Korea have concluded a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Report informs referring to TASS.

The Russian and North Korean delegations, present at the signing ceremony, greeted the two leaders with applause. Putin and Kim exchanged copies of the document and then left the ceremony together.

As Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov explained, the new document replaces the 1961 treaty of friendship and mutual assistance, the 2000 treaty on bilateral ties and the 2000 and 2001 Moscow and Pyongyang Declarations. According to Ushakov, the new document is needed because of profound changes in the geopolitical situation in the region and worldwide and in bilateral ties between Russia and North Korea.

The Kremlin official noted that the new document will observe all the fundamental principles of international law, will not be confrontational or directed against any country and will aim to ensure greater stability in Northeast Asia.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is resolved to boost strategic cooperation with Russia further down the road, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in opening remarks at talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Report informs referring to TASS.

"The situation globally is now changing fast as it becomes more challenging. Against this background, we are set to strengthen strategic interaction with Russia, with the Russian leadership as we go forward," the North Korean leader said as he assured his Russian counterpart of Pyongyang’s sweeping support of Moscow’s policies across the board.

Kim also said that, at today’s meeting, he and Putin would hopefully exchange ideas and constructive opinions on enhanced cooperation and mutual exchanges between the two countries across the board. "We will exchange good opinions on international issues, too," he concluded.