North Korea and Belarus signed a treaty on friendship and cooperation on Thursday during Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's first visit to North Korea, according to reports. The two-day visit, which began on Wednesday with a state ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square, marks a historic moment in bilateral relations. North Korea and Belarus established diplomatic relations in 1992, and while North Korea maintains an embassy in Belarus, Belarus does not have one in Pyongyang, reflecting the historical context of their ties.
Both North Korea and Belarus are subject to extensive Western sanctions, creating common ground for their alignment. Military dimensions of this alignment are notable, with North Korea accused by South Korea and Western allies of sending troops and military equipment to aid Russia's war effort in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Belarus hosts Russian forces, missiles, and reportedly drones for use against Ukraine, as noted by observers.
The friendly relations between our states, which originated back in the days of the Soviet Union, have never been interrupted. Today, as a result of comprehensive progressive development, we're transitioning to a fundamentally new stage. Belatedly, but nevertheless, we are transitioning to a new stage.
Economic cooperation is expected to be a key focus of the talks, with South Korea's unification ministry anticipating discussions on mutual interests. The visit was meant to identify key areas of mutual interest and promising projects for implementation, and it was expected to produce about 10 additional agreements spanning sectors including education, culture, and sport, according to sources. Key unknowns remain, including what specific details the treaty on friendship and cooperation will entail and the full list of additional agreements expected from the visit and their specific terms.
The exact number and nature of North Korean troops and military equipment sent to aid Russia in Ukraine have not been confirmed, nor has the extent of economic, military, or technological cooperation outlined in the treaty. The immediate impact of this treaty on Western sanctions or the war in Ukraine is also unclear.
The document is fundamental and clearly and openly sets forth the goals and principles of interaction between the two countries, and defines the institutional framework for future mutually beneficial processes.
Countries must cooperate to protect their sovereignty.