Russia's Federation Council ratifies partnership agreement with North Korea

Radio Liberty reports.

Earlier, Russia's State Duma approved a document that provides for military assistance in the event of an attack on a signatory country, and it was put forward for ratification amid reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia.

Under the strategic partnership agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang, cooperation is planned in areas such as counter-terrorism, tourism, healthcare, education, agriculture, and joint military exercises.

A key provision emphasizes the commitment of Russia and North Korea to provide immediate military and other assistance if either country is attacked or finds itself at war.

The agreement has an indefinite duration.

• On October 7, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that the DPRK would accelerate steps to become a military superpower with nuclear weapons and would not rule out their use in the event of an enemy attack.
• On October 14, Russian leader Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma a draft law on the ratification of the "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement between Russia and the DPRK.
• On October 24, the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, voted to ratify the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between Russia and North Korea.