The Korean War never officially ended, and with rising global tensions, North Korea is looking to its allies for support. But who would actually come to their aid in a conflict? Russia and North Korea have signed a new defense pact, but will Moscow back Pyongyang if war breaks out? China has been North Korea’s closest ally, yet tensions remain. What about Iran, Syria, or even former allies like Vietnam? In this video, we explore North Korea’s real allies, their military agreements, and whether anyone would truly fight alongside them in a modern war. Could this spark a new global conflict?
?️ Topics Discussed
North Korea’s Key Allies (Russia & China)
The Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024)
China’s Complicated Relationship with North Korea
Other Potential Supporters & Their Limitations
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Further Reading:
Je-hun, Lee. “[News analysis] N. Korea’s new pact with Russia is ‘mirror image’ of Yoon’s alliance with US.” Hankyoreh.com. Last modified June 21, 2024. https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/1145933.html
Shin, Hyonhee. “Who Are North Korea’s Military Partners around the World?” Reuters.com. October 25, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/who-are-north-koreas-military-partners-around-world-2024-10-25/
Batsakis, Anthea. “North Korea Allies: Who Has Kim Jong Un’s Back?” HeraldSun.com. September 15, 2017. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/north-korea-allies-who-has-kim-jonguns-back/news-story/1ac0f71100dddd40f6e117d218affc58
Chivvis, Christopher and Jack Keating “Cooperation Between China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia: Current and Potential Future Threats to America.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. October 8, 2024. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/10/cooperation-between-china-iran-north-korea-and-russia-current-and-potential-future-threats-to-america?lang=en
No. 6045. TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP, CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS AND THE DEMOCRA TIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA. SIGNED AT MOSCOW, ON 6 JULY 1961.” Treaties.un.org. July 6, 1961. https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20420/volume-420-I-6045-English.pdf
Dashdorj, Zorigt. “The Global Ramifications of the Russia-North Korea Pact.” GISreportonline.com. January 14, 2015. https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/russia-north-korea-treaty/
Fong, Clara. “The China- North Korea Relationship.” The Council on Foreign Relations. November 21, 2024. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-north-korea-relationship
Kuhn, Anthony. “Concerns Mount as Russia and North Korea Commit to Mutual Defense Pact.” NPR.org. June 20, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/20/nx-s1-5011604/leaders-of-russia-and-north-korea-sign-pact-indicating-a-deeper-cooperation
Credit:
Simple History Creator: Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Video Directors: Lav Velimirovic, Ognjen Jovic
Script: Jake Leigh-Howarth
Script Review: Peter Turner
Narrator: Chris Kane (https://vocalforge.com)
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Animators: Nancy Bhalla, Krishna, Guillermo G. Caasi. Jr, Ravina Bheda, Rommel Ponferrada
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