ANKARA 

North Korea affirmed the "absolute solidity" of its alliance with Russia on Thursday as it marked the first anniversary of the signing of a bilateral defense treaty with Moscow, state media reported.

The North’s mainstream Rodong Sinmun newspaper, which reflects the country's official position, issued the message in an article marking the anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty.

The treaty was signed on June 19 last year in Pyongyang between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Describing the pact as opening "a new chapter in the friendship" between North Korea and Russia, the daily said the two countries have "unsparingly shown off the absolute solidity of the alliance relationship."

The treaty calls on one party to come to the aid of the other without delay if it comes under armed attack.

North Korea deployed around 14,000 troops to the Russian side in the war against Ukraine between October last year and February of this year.

Rodong Sinmun described the engagement of North Korean troops the in Russia-Ukraine war as the "most exemplary" implementation of the treaty.

"It is an unwavering stance of the two countries' peoples to deepen militant friendship and achieve mutual prosperity and well-being," the newspaper said.

In late April, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine.

Longtime rival South Korea and Western intelligence agencies believe that Pyongyang has sent 14,000 troops to help Russia in the war.

North Korea plans to send 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military construction workers to clear mines and restore infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.

Shoigu met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Tuesday. It was his third visit to the North Korean capital since March.

*Writing by Aamir Latif