A US national security source has said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may soon meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss prospective arms agreements, signifying closer links between the two nations as they compete with Washington.
Kim Jong Un may meet with Putin: According to commentators, Russia has seen increased value in North Korea as its isolation over its war in Ukraine has intensified.
While North Korea’s ties to Russia haven’t always been as cordial as they were during the Soviet Union’s heyday, the nation is now clearly benefiting from Moscow’s need for allies. Here is the history of relations between North Korea and Russia and how they are progressing:
What degree of political links exist?
Early in the Cold War, North Korea’s communist regime was established with Soviet Union support.
North Korea later engaged in the 1950–1953 Korean War against the South and its US and UN allies, resulting in a draw with significant support from China and the Soviet Union.
North Korea relied heavily on Soviet assistance for many years, and the North endured a devastating famine in the 1990s, exacerbated by the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Beijing and Moscow have frequently been used by Pyongyang’s leaders as counterbalances.
Russia and China, who backed the United States in putting severe sanctions on North Korea because of its nuclear tests, initially had a frosty relationship with Kim.
In 2017, following his nation’s most recent nuclear test, Kim made action to mend fences.
In the Russian city of Vladivostok in 2019, he first met Putin. Kim promised to “hold hands” with Putin and strengthen their strategic partnership in a greeting for Russia’s National Day in June.
Russia and China have joined China in rejecting further sanctions against North Korea, thwarting an initiative by the US and causing the UN Security Council (UNSC) to publicly split for the first time since it began sanctioning Pyongyang in 2006.
In July, when Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang and witnessed a military exhibition that featured the North’s outlawed ballistic missiles, it was clear that relations were improving. Later, during a military parade, he stood next to Kim and saluted the missiles as they passed.
How has the conflict in the Ukraine impacted the relationship?
In retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has shown its public support for Moscow.
It was one of the few nations to acknowledge the independence of the Ukrainian territories that Russia claimed as its own, and it declared support for Russia’s annexation of some of Ukraine.
The United States has accused North Korea of selling weapons to Russia, but it is unclear whether any shipments have actually occurred.
Both Russia and North Korea have refuted these assertions while pledging to strengthen their defence cooperation.
Artyom Lukin, a professor at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, wrote in a report for 38 North that “Moscow’s’special military operation’ in Ukraine has ushered in a new geopolitical reality in which the Kremlin and (North Korea) may become increasingly close, possibly to the point of reviving the quasi-alliance relationship that had existed during the Cold War.”
It is noteworthy that Pyongyang has started referring to its connection with Russia as “tactical and strategic collaboration” he continued. On Monday, Shoigu told the Russian media that Moscow and North Korea are talking about conducting joint military drills.
“Why not, these people live next door. According to an ancient Russian proverb, “you don’t choose your neighbours, and it’s better to live with your neighbours in peace and harmony,” he was cited as saying by the Interfax news agency.
What connects them economically?
Russia and North Korea resumed train travel last year after discontinuing rail service due to the COVID epidemic.
The train was hauling 30 thoroughbred horses, an extremely lavish load.
Data from the United Nations shows that Russia resumed oil exports to North Korea shortly after the incident, marking the first such shipments recorded since 2020.
China handles the vast majority of North Korea’s commerce, but experts say Russia might be a significant partner as well, notably in the oil sector.
Moscow has denied violating UN sanctions, but sanctions monitors have charged Russian tankers with aiding in the circumvention of restrictions on oil exports to North Korea, and they have discovered that workers continue to work in Russia despite the embargo.
Despite UN Security Council resolutions that forbid such arrangements, Russian officials have publicly discussed “working on political arrangements” to employ 20,000 to 50,000 North Korean labourers.
Russian officials and leaders in Ukrainian territories under their control have also proposed involving North Korean employees in the reconstruction of war-torn areas.