North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a deal on June 19, 2024, pledging mutual assistance in the event that either nation experiences an “attack.”
In essence, during a period of extreme geopolitical unrest, both nuclear-armed nations compelled one another to sign a military alliance.
The agreement symbolizes the greatest alliance between Russia and North Korea since the end of the Cold War, despite the fact that details are still scarce. The two leaders announced that this agreement is a major improvement to their bilateral ties in terms of trade, investment, security, humanitarianism, and culture.
At the time of this newly formed agreement, American authorities had suspicions that North Korea was giving Russia ammunition for its military assault in Ukraine. Russia would give North Korea economic support in return for technological transfers that could help the country advance its nuclear weapons and missile development, which is a source of concern for the US and its allies in East Asia.
Putin visited North Korea for the first time in more than 20 years, and Kim declared that the two nations had a “fiery friendship” and that this agreement was their “best treaty ever,” thereby turning their friendship into a formal military alliance. Kim also pledged to support Russia’s military operation in Ukraine to the hilt.
Putin called this deal a “breakthrough document,” indicating a shared willingness to advance bilateral relations.
Putin complimented Kim for North Korea’s assistance in Ukraine during their conversation. This, according to him, is a “war against the Russian Federation and the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the United States and its satellites.”
Russia and North Korea are subject to severe international sanctions. As a result of its nuclear weapons program, North Korea is currently subject to strict sanctions from the UN Security Council, while Russia is dealing with penalties from the US and its Western allies in NATO due to its invasion of Ukraine.
The geopolitical order that is multipolar is here to stay. It is only natural for nations that are the targets of US meddling to start making alliances with one another as a result of the US alienating a large portion of the world. A full-fledged anti-NATO alliance will eventually come together to counter US dominance overseas.
If the US does not reevaluate its policies, the implications for any potential miscalculations made by the US abroad could prove to be rather lethal. Is it possible for the United States to adopt a non-interventionist approach and concentrate its national security efforts solely on its southern border and the region it occupies in the Western Hemisphere?
Maybe expecting this is asking for too much.
Author:Â Blake Ambrose
