Russia and North Korea sign mutual defense pact

Russian leader Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang on Wednesday, his first trip to North Korea in nearly 24 years. Following talks, Putin and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un signed what the state-run TASS Russian News Agency characterized as a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that Putin said includes economic, political, and security ties. The deal includes a provision for either country to defend the other if one faces aggression, according to the TASS Russian News Agency.

Following the summit, Kim said the agreement was the strongest treaty ever established between the countries and vowed to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to the Associated Press. Western nations have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with military equipment, claims the countries have denied.

What else is happening in the region? South Korean troops on Tuesday fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily guarded border between the countries, according to the Associated Press. South Korean officials said 20 to 30 soldiers were doing construction work along the border and crossed it unintentionally, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is the second time this month that troops accidentally crossed into South Korea. The soldiers retreated immediately in both instances.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report in The Sift about Putin praising Kim’s support for his war in Ukraine.