Russia and North Korea sign strong partnership deal

KIM TONG-HYUNG AND ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

- KIM TONG-HYUNG AND ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described an agreement they signed Wednesday as a major upgrade of their relations, covering security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, signed an agreement Wednesday that pledges mutual aid if either country faces "aggression," a strategic pact as both face escalating standoffs with the West.

Details of the deal were not immediately clear, but it could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War. Both leaders described it as a major upgrade of their relations, covering security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.