S Korea-Russia-NK treaty
S. Korea voices 'grave concerns' over Russia's ratification of treaty with N. Korea
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expressed "grave concerns" Friday over Russia's ratification of a bilateral treaty with North Korea that includes a mutual defense clause.
Russia's State Duma, the lower house of the country's parliament, ratified the bill at a plenary session Thursday, following the submission of the bill by Russian President Putin earlier this month.
"The government expresses grave concerns that Russia is proceeding with the ratification of the Russia-North Korea treaty in the midst of the North's deployment of its troops to Russia," a foreign ministry official said.
"We strongly urge the North to immediately withdraw its troops from Russia and stop its illegal cooperation" with Moscow, the official said.
The official stressed the government's position that it will take corresponding steps depending on the level of the cooperation between the two isolated states, while firmly responding in lockstep with the international community.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Putin signed the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty in June in Pyongyang that includes a clause committing the two states to providing military support "without delay" if either is attacked.
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