The new agreement between Russia and North Korea, as reported by North Korean state media, requires the countries to provide immediate military assistance to each other in the event of war. This agreement marks a significant upgrade in their relations, covering security, trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian ties. The summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin also raised concerns about a potential arms arrangement between Pyongyang and Moscow, with North Korea supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, with ongoing weapons tests and military exercises involving the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.