Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the mutual defense treaty with North Korea, according to the state-owned Russian news agency TASS on Saturday.
The treaty stipulates an agreement between the two countries to provide military assistance if one of the parties is attacked.
The agreement also aims to develop a partnership "based on the principles of mutual respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity," which is peaceful and defensive in nature," according to TASS.
Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed the treaty during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June. Putin presented the treaty to the Russian State Duma, or the House of Representatives, in October.