Defense Treaty Between North Korea and Russia Raises Alarm Over War Escalation

By Sung-Yoon Lee, global fellow with the Wilson Center’s Indo-Pacific Program and Fletcher alum

North Korea officially ratified a major defense pact with Russia that mandates mutual military assistance in the event of an attack. North Korean troops have already been deployed to Ukraine and the defense agreement raises alarm bells that their involvement will deepen, leading to increased military support for Russia and an escalation of the conflict. The alliance also raises concerns about potential Russian transfers of advanced technology that could bolster North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. 

Sung-Yoon Lee, a global fellow with the Wilson Center’s Indo-Pacific Program, provides an overview of the treaty and assesses its impact. He talks about the implications of this alliance for regional and global stability, the concerns it raises for South Korea, Japan, and the United States, and how North Korea’s military support bolsters Russia’s position in the conflict against Ukraine.

Listen to the overview here.

(This post is republished from the Wilson Center.)