1961 North Korea-China Defense Treaty: Military Assistance Pledge and Trade Dominance
A 1961 mutual defense treaty between North Korea and China obligates both nations to provide immediate military aid if attacked. China is North Korea's primary trading partner, handling over 90% of its foreign trade.
The treaty, signed on July 11, 1961, by North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung and then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, commits each country to immediate military assistance if the other is subjected to an armed attack. This agreement has remained a cornerstone of bilateral relations for decades.
China's economic influence over North Korea is overwhelming, accounting for more than 90% of the DPRK's external commerce. This trade dominance underscores Beijing's leverage in the region and its role as a key geopolitical and economic partner to Pyongyang.
Source: First Squawk