SEOUL, South Korea – The recent signing of a mutual defense pact between Russia and North Korea has sparked concerns throughout the region, prompting reactions from neighboring countries. South Korea summoned Moscow’s envoy, while Japan and the United States expressed serious reservations about the agreement.

The defense pact, signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, has raised eyebrows due to its significance and historical context. This pact marks a revival of the Cold War-era mutual defense pledge between the two countries, strengthening North Korea’s ties with a world power that holds veto power on the UN Security Council.

South Korea, a key US ally, swiftly condemned the pact and took the rare diplomatic step of summoning Russia’s ambassador. The tensions between Seoul and Moscow have heightened as the South Korean government stressed the need for Russia to cease military cooperation with Pyongyang and adhere to UN Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by a US military official over the implications of the closer ties between Russia and North Korea. The military official emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s actions.

During his visit to Vietnam, Putin made further statements regarding the pact, warning South Korea against supplying arms to Ukraine. He emphasized that any such actions would be viewed unfavorably and could result in Russia taking corresponding measures.

The situation has also caught the attention of Japan, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressing grave concerns over the agreement between Russia and North Korea. Hayashi highlighted the potential implications for the security environment surrounding Japan, particularly in relation to UN Security Council resolutions.

As the region navigates these diplomatic challenges and growing security concerns, the implications of the Russia-North Korea defense pact continue to unfold, raising questions about the future dynamics in Northeast Asia.