You might have seen a couple of videos trending on social media where the Russia and North Korea presidents (Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un) were showing brotherly affection to one another. Well, there was more to that. The Russian president was visiting North Korea for the first time in 24 years. He was there to sign the new strategic partnership to replace previous deals signed in 1961, 2000 and 2001, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

What is controversial about the new Russia – North Korea deal?

They signed an agreement that pledges mutual aid if either country faces “aggression,” and this comes as both face countries face escalating standoffs with the West. Although specifics of the agreement were not immediately available, this could represent the strongest relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow since the end of the Cold War according to AP News. Regarding security, trade, investment, cultural links, and humanitarian contacts, both leaders characterised it as a significant improvement in their relationship.

Russia desperately needs munitions for its war in Ukraine, in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.

Speaking on CNN, Ex-CIA official Steve Hal says, ‘’it’s amazing that both of these countries state that they’ve signed this agreement out of self-defense, I mean last time I checked when was either North Korea or Russia have been attacked? It’s actually been certainly in the case of Russia the other way around.’’

Hal does not believe the two countries need any defense against anyone, ‘’it is a bit rich that both of them are saying we’re so concerned about our defensive posture that we have to have some sort of defensive postures treaty, it’s really interesting,’’ Hal said.

Why do Russia and North Korea have a tainted relationship with the west?

Current Russia differs considerably from what is a ‘’Western model’’ of liberal democracy. The nature of the current authoritarian political regime in Russia, where a very small group of people tend to participate in decision-making processes, while sharing a very peculiar mentality and world perception, seriously and adversely influence Russian policy and Russia’s relations with its neighbours and the West.

The relationship between the USA and North Korea dates back to the 1940s. The United States and the Soviet Union decided to partition and briefly occupy Korea as a trusteeship following the triumph of the Allied troops in World War II, which put an end to Japan’s colonial rule over the country. This “temporary” agreement was supposed to assist in the establishment of an independent government in a united Korea, but the US and USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) were unable to reach a consensus on the conditions. Two parallel governments were created in the north and south as a result.