North Korea ratifies mutual defence treaty with Russia

Pact seen as giving both sides legitimacy for North Korean forces' deployment to Russia

SEOUL - North Korea has ratified a landmark defence pact with Russia, state media reported on Nov 12, deepening security cooperation that has seen Pyongyang send thousands of troops to help Moscow fight against Ukraine.

The agreement formalises months of tightening military bonds between two nations that were Communist allies throughout the Cold War.

Seoul and ally Washington have accused the nuclear-armed North of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, where they have been outfitted with Russian uniforms and are, according to reports, massed on the border near Kursk.

The deal "was ratified as a decree" of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Nov 12.

The notice comes after Russian lawmakers voted unanimously last week to ratify the deal, which President Vladimir Putin later signed.