International community must prepare for threat of Russia-North Korea 'alliance'

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea on June 19 and met with its leader, Kim Jong Un, to sign an agreement on a "comprehensive strategic partnership." The pact elevates relations between the two countries to a level near that of an "alliance." The international community should therefore unite and prepare for the growing threat of a Russia-North Korea partnership in East Asia.

The summit marked Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years and followed Kim's trip to the Russian Far East in September 2023.