The recent visit of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to Pyongyang, the North’s capital, has stirred concerns in the region as it resulted in the revival of a Cold War-era mutual defense agreement between Russia and North Korea. The agreement states that if one country finds itself in a state of war, the other will provide military and other assistance without delay. This has raised fears in Japan and South Korea, given North Korea's nuclear capabilities and its leader, Kim Jong-un's, hostile stance towards the South. The alliance between Mr. Putin and Mr. Kim is seen as a move to escalate tensions in northeast Asia, further dividing the region into democratic and autocratic camps. The agreement has drawn criticism from South Korea and Japan, with South Korea planning to review its policy of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine in response. The meeting has also prompted discussions about the security policies of South Korea, including the possibility of arming itself with nuclear weapons and the potential impact of a re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. It has also led to renewed focus on the trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the face of growing security challenges from North Korea and China. While the alliance between Russia and North Korea has raised concerns, some analysts believe that the biggest worry for the region remains the rising military ambitions of China. The visit is seen as a reflection of the broader security challenges in Asia, including maritime and multi-domain war capabilities. In summary, the revival of the defense agreement between Russia and North Korea has sparked fears and discussions about security policies and alliances in the region, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in northeast Asia.