Russian parliament approves military assistance deal with North Korea

It marked the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a defence deal with North Korea Picture: Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The upper house of Russia’s parliament has ratified a treaty with North Korea envisioning mutual military assistance, a move that comes as the US confirmed that 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia.

The “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty,” which Russian President Vladimir Putin signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a visit to Pyongyang in June, obliges Russia and North Korea to immediately provide military assistance using “all means” if either is attacked.