The most notable clause in the "Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between North Korea and Russia, released by the Korean Central News Agency on June 20, is Article 4, which promises to provide military assistance without delay if either side is attacked by force. The automatic military intervention clause contained in the treaty between the Soviet Union and North Korea during the Cold War has been revived for the first time in 28 years. The two countries have restored their de facto military alliance, raising concerns that the situation on the Korean Peninsula has returned to the Cold War period.

Article 4 of the treaty reads, “In the event that either party is invaded by armed force by an individual country or several countries and is placed in a state of war, the other party shall, without delay and in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and the laws of the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea and the Rossiya Federation, render military and other assistance by all means at its disposal.” Article 51 of the UN Charter stipulates the state's right to self-defense. When compared to the 1961 U.S.-Soviet Treaty of Amity, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, the wording is virtually identical, except for the addition of the phrase “in accordance with the laws of the North Korean and Russia. The 1961 treaty was abrogated in 1996.

Article 3 of the treaty stipulates that if there is a direct threat of an act of armed aggression against one side, the two sides ”shall without delay open bilateral negotiating channels for the purpose of agreeing on possible practical measures“ to eliminate the threat. This is similar to the 2000 North Korea-Russia Treaty of Amity, Friendship and Cooperation (The North Korea-Russia New Treaty), which states that ”the two sides shall immediately establish contact.“

This leaves room for Russia to intervene militarily in the event of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula. It is also possible to analyze that North Korea is laying the groundwork for military support for the war in Ukraine.

South Korea has been maintaining a close security relationship with the U.S. in the name of the North Korean nuclear crisis, and North Korea and Russia have responded in kind. The application of Article 51 of the UN Charter is also interpreted as a de facto invocation of the right to self-defense, blaming the U.S., Japan, and South Korea for regional instability.

However, the condition of complying with the law suggests that Russia has put in place a mechanism to control the pace. According to the Russian Federal Constitution, a majority of the Federation Council members attending must approve the use of Russian military force outside of its territory.

Article 8 of the treaty states that it “establishes institutions for taking joint measures for the purpose of strengthening defense capabilities to prevent war and ensure regional and international peace and security.” Based on this provision, it is possible that North Korea and Russia could conduct joint military exercises.

North Korea and Russia have stipulated that they will work together to neutralize international sanctions against North Korea. Article 16 of the treaty states that they “oppose the application of unilateral coercive measures, including measures of an extrajudicial nature.” This translates into Russia‘s willingness to defy sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member, as well as the South Korean and U.S. governments’ own sanctions.

The treaty also specifically identifies areas of economic cooperation that could potentially violate international sanctions. Article 10 of the treaty mentions “cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, investment, and science and technology,” “striving to increase the volume of reciprocal trade,” “economic cooperation in areas, such as customs, finance, and fiscal affairs,” and “developing exchanges and cooperation in the field of science and technology.”

In line with the word “comprehensive” in the title, there are a total of 23 provisions in the treaty. There were six provisions in the 1961 treaty between North Korea and Russia and 12 in the new treaty in 2000. In addition to cooperation in the fields of energy, climate, health, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, and sports, it includes mutual cooperation on international crimes, such as terrorism, human trafficking, and money laundering.

The treaty is subject to ratification by the Supreme People‘s Assembly or North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea is expected to hold its eighth plenary session of the Workers' Party at the end of this month and then the Supreme People's Assembly.