The lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly has ratified the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that Russia signed with North Korea in June. 

During a plenary session on Thursday, the State Duma deliberated a motion to ratify the treaty and unanimously passed it. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted the motion to the lower house on October 14. 

Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the treaty in Pyongyang on June 19. 

The accord includes a mutual defense clause under which the two countries will provide military support to each other if either one comes under attack.