Why in the news?

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin concluded his recent visit to Pyongyang with a significant agreement: both Russia and North Korea pledged to provide swift military aid in the event of armed aggression against either nation.

Historical Context

• Post-World War II Context: The Soviet Union aimed to establish a communist regime in Korea.USSR provided Significant military aid provided to North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung, during the Korean War. Post-war support from the USSR and China included substantial military and other aid to North Korea.
• 1961 Russo-North Korea Treaty: The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance included a mutual defence agreement.
• Post-Soviet Union Period: Relations deteriorated after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, voiding the treaty.
• Early 2000s Reconnection: Under Putin, Russia moved closer to North Korea despite not supporting its nuclear ambitions initially. Supported sanctions against North Korea aimed at curbing nuclear capabilities.
• Post-2022 Dynamics: After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced international isolation. Russia and North Korea solidified their alliance against the Western liberal order.

What the Pact Says

• Scope of Cooperation: Cooperation on a wide range of issues, including mutual military support and unspecified technological assistance.
• Mutual Defense Provision: Under Article 4 of the Pact in case of armed invasion, the other side shall provide military and other assistance without delay, following Article 51 of the UN Charter and respective national laws.
• Technological Assistance: Crucial for North Korea, which currently has nuclear weapons but lacks advanced missile guidance systems and other technologies for long-range nuclear weapons.

Strategic Implications 

• Direct Threat to South Korea and Japan: Both countries perceive the pact as a security threat due to North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and the added Russian security umbrella.
• Potential Arms Race: Japan is revisiting its pacifist stance and enhancing military capabilities, while South Korea is considering new defence strategies, potentially including arms exports.
• Strengthening of US Alliances: South Korea and Japan are likely to deepen their alliances with the United States in response to heightened regional security concerns.
• NATO and Global Security: The pact raises alarms among NATO allies and other global stakeholders, prompting reassessments of security strategies and commitments.
• Nuclear Proliferation Concerns: Increased collaboration between Russia and North Korea could lead to advancements in North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, impacting global non-proliferation efforts.
• Global Strategic Repercussions: The pact sets a precedent for authoritarian regimes aligning against Western liberal orders, influencing geopolitical strategies and alliances beyond Asia.

Way forward: 

• Enhanced Diplomatic Engagement and Dialogue: Engage in robust diplomatic efforts to mitigate tensions and enhance transparency regarding the intentions behind the Russia-North Korea pact. Encourage multilateral dialogues involving key stakeholders such as the United States, South Korea, Japan, and other concerned parties to foster mutual understanding and reduce the likelihood of miscalculation.
• Reinforcement of Regional Security Mechanisms: Strengthen existing regional security mechanisms, particularly alliances with the United States underpinned by treaties such as the Mutual Defense Treaty with Japan and the mutual defence commitments with South Korea.

Mains PYQ:

Q What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC IAS/2020)

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