Highlighting The Signing Of The New North Korea-Russia Agreement, NATO Secretary General: Authoritarian Power Is Getting In Line

President Putin and Leader Kim exchanged documents after signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. (Source: Kristina Kormilitsyna/Rossiya Segodny)

JAKARTA - The head of the North Atlantic military alliance said the new pact between Russia and North Korea showed increased alignment among authoritarian powers, underscoring the importance of democracy presenting a front of unity.

President Vladimir Putin and leader Kim Jong-un signed a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, when the two country leaders met at Kumsusan Palace, Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg said North Korea had provided "a large amount of ammunition" to Russia, while China and Iran supported Moscow militarily in its war against Ukraine.

"We need to realize that authoritarian forces are increasingly aligned. They support each other in ways we have never seen before," he said in a panel discussion during an official visit to Ottawa, Canada.

"As they become more and more aligned, authoritarian regimes such as North Korea and China, Iran, Russia, are becoming increasingly important for us to be aligned as a country that believes in freedom and democracy," Stoltenberg continued.

The closeness between Russia and other Asian countries means it is increasingly important for NATO to cooperate with allies in Asia-Pacific, he said, adding that this is why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea are invited to a NATO summit in Washington, United States next month.

As previously reported, North Korea and Russia renewed a comprehensive strategic partnership, in an agreement signed by President Putin and Leader Kim yesterday.

"Today, a new fundamental document has been prepared that will form the basis for our relationship for a long-term perspective," President Putin said, launching TASS.

Leader Kim said the agreement on a new comprehensive strategic partnership between his country and Russia was peaceful and defensive.

"This strong agreement is nothing more than a document that is truly constructive, promising, purely peaceful and defensive," said Leader Kim after the signing.

"I have no doubt this will be a driving force that will accelerate efforts to build a new multipolar world," he added.

Leader Kim emphasized that the agreement was in accordance with the strategic nature of relations between the two countries in the new era.

"Times have changed, as have North Korea's status in global geopoliticals," he said.

During a reception to honor President Putin after a state meeting, Leader Kim said a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and his country would help maintain peace and stability in the region.

"There is no doubt that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between North Korea and Russia as a great program will guarantee cooperation between North Korea and Russia for a century, (the agreement) will fully contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region, the goal of building a strong country and common interests between the two countries, Korea and Russia, and will put the security of the two countries on a more reliable foundation," said Leader Kim.

In addition, Leader Kim described the agreement as "the strongest and most comprehensive agreement between countries in the history of friendly relations between Russia and North Korea."

As the Russian President Yury Ushakov explained, this new document replaces the 1961 friendly and mutual aid agreement, the 2000 agreement on bilateral relations, as well as the 2000 and 2001 Moscow and Pyongyang declarations.

According to Ushakov, this new document is needed because of major changes in geopolitical situations in the region and around the world as well as bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea.

The Kremlin official said the new document would comply with all basic principles of international law, would not be controversial or aimed at any country and aimed at ensuring greater stability in Northeast Asia.