MOSCOW, December 5. /TASS/. Russia has published the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, which has been posted on Russia's legal information website.
The document came into force on December 4 and will be valid indefinitely. It contains a preamble and 23 articles.
TASS has gathered the key provisions of the treaty.
Defense and security
In the event of a threat of armed aggression against either Russia or North Korea, both sides will immediately initiate communication through bilateral channels to consult and agree on potential mutual assistance.
Should one party face an armed attack, the other will provide immediate military assistance.
Russia and North Korea commit to refraining from entering into any agreements with third parties that could undermine the sovereignty and security of either nation, or participating in such actions. Furthermore, neither side will allow its territory to be used by third countries to threaten the security or inviolability of the other.
The two sides are establishing mechanisms for joint actions aimed at strengthening defense capabilities to avoid war and uphold peace and security.
Moscow and Pyongyang have agreed to cooperate in combating international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, human trafficking, hostage-taking, illegal immigration, illicit financial flows, and money laundering.
The two countries will also collaborate in countering the financing of terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, maritime and civil incidents, illegal trafficking of money and goods (including cultural heritage), drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.
One of the provisions addresses international information security. The parties support equal rights for states on the Internet and oppose infringements on sovereignty through technological means. Any attempts to restrict the sovereign right to regulate national segments of the Internet are deemed unacceptable. Moscow and Pyongyang are also enhancing cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
Peaceful policy
Russia and North Korea have agreed to develop cooperation based on mutual respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in the other’s domestic affairs, and adherence to other principles of international law.
The two sides periodically exchange views on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest on the international agenda.
Moscow and Pyongyang support each other's peaceful policies and work closely together to establish a just, multipolar world order.
Both countries mutually support each other’s membership in international and regional organizations.
Economy
Moscow and Pyongyang are working together to address threats in areas such as food security, energy, cybersecurity, healthcare, and other sectors.
Russia and North Korea aim to increase mutual trade, promote and protect joint investments, and foster collaborative research.
The parties plan to strengthen cooperation across various industries and in the social sector, including organizing joint business missions, conferences, exhibitions, and other events.
The two states intend to conclude industry-specific agreements to further their cooperation.
Confronting sanctions
Moscow and Pyongyang agreed to oppose unilateral sanctions, calling them illegal and contrary to the UN Charter. They guarantee that they will not impose restrictions against each other and will not join such decisions of other countries.
If sanctions are imposed against one of the parties, the other will help reduce risks and damage to bilateral cooperation. "The parties shall also take measures to limit the dissemination of information that could be used by a third party to impose and escalate such measures."
Culture
Russia and North Korea aim to improve cooperation in the media to foster greater understanding between their peoples and provide the world with unbiased information.
Moscow and Pyongyang will promote mutual appreciation of Korean and Russian literature, encourage language learning, and facilitate communication between their citizens.
Legal and other issues
Moscow and Pyongyang will strengthen cooperation between their legislative, executive, and law enforcement bodies, exchanging experiences and views on lawmaking and law enforcement.
Russia and North Korea are committed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of each other's citizens.
The parties will cooperate in providing legal assistance in civil and criminal cases, including extradition, transfer of convicted persons, and the return of criminally obtained assets.
Cooperation will also extend to standards, test results, and documents certifying the quality of goods.
Validity of the contract
The contract is valid indefinitely.
"If either party intends to terminate this contract, it shall notify the other party in writing. The treaty shall terminate one year from the date the other party receives the written notification."
The treaty was signed on June 19 in Pyongyang by Russian and North Korean leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. It was further ratified by each side.
Meanwhile, the bilateral treaty of friendship, good neighborliness, and cooperation concluded by Russia and North Korea, signed on February 9, 2000, was terminated.