Russia, North Korea eye 5-year defence pact, potentially unsettling China

China's strategic calculus may be shifting as North Korea and Russia reportedly discuss a five-year defense cooperation plan. Analysts suggest this development could accelerate Pyongyang's military modernization, potentially creating a new layer of complexity for Beijing's regional security considerations.

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relations between the countries as at an “unprecedentedly high level”.

The Russian state news agency Tass reported that Defense Minister Andrey Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, describing bilateral relations as reaching an "unprecedentedly high level." The report indicated preparations for a military cooperation plan spanning from 2027 to 2031, with an agreement to place military cooperation on a "sustainable long-term footing."

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We have reached an agreement with the DPRK’s [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s] defence ministry to place our military cooperation on a sustainable long-term footing.

While the specifics of a five-year defense pact remain to be seen, the mere discussion signals a deepening security alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. This could have significant implications for regional stability, particularly concerning China's own security interests and its complex relationship with both North Korea and Russia. The lack of explicit mention of the five-year plan in North Korean state media, as reported by KCNA, suggests a potential divergence in how the two nations choose to frame and publicize such developments.

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We are prepared to sign a Russian-Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period this year.