Putin, Kim Forge Alliance Amid Global Concern

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang on June 18, 2024, for a state visit, his first to North Korea in 24 years, Reuters reported. This rare summit with Kim Jong Un aims to significantly deepen military and economic ties between the two isolated nations.

www.reuters.com reported, The visit is expected to solidify a new strategic partnership, raising considerable alarm among Western allies, according to CNN. Concerns primarily revolve around a potential arms deal that could see North Korea supply more munitions to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Both leaders have expressed strong mutual support, with Kim Jong Un reportedly pledging "full and unconditional support" for Russia's actions in Ukraine, as stated by the Associated Press. Putin, in turn, thanked North Korea for its steadfast backing against what he termed "hegemonic" policies.

www.reuters.com noted, A new "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" was signed during the summit, TASS news agency confirmed. This agreement reportedly includes provisions for mutual assistance in the event of aggression, significantly elevating their bilateral relationship.

Western nations, including the United States and South Korea, have condemned the visit and the deepening ties. The White House expressed deep concern over the implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts, Reuters reported.

www.reuters.com reported, Beyond military cooperation, the summit also focused on expanding economic collaboration, which could help North Korea circumvent international sanctions. Russia may offer advanced technology, food, and energy in exchange for military supplies, according to analysts cited by The Guardian.

This visit underscores a growing alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang, driven by their shared antagonism towards the West. It marks a significant moment in their relationship, reminiscent of Cold War-era solidarity, as noted by the BBC.

• The current rapprochement between Russia and North Korea revives a relationship that dates back to the Soviet era, when Moscow was Pyongyang's primary benefactor. After the Cold War, ties cooled significantly, but Russia's isolation following its invasion of Ukraine has prompted a renewed strategic alignment, as detailed by The New York Times. This historical context is crucial for understanding the depth of their current cooperation.
• Russia seeks North Korean artillery shells and ballistic missiles to replenish its dwindling stockpiles for the war in Ukraine, according to U.S. intelligence assessments reported by The Wall Street Journal. North Korea, in turn, desires advanced military technology, including satellite and nuclear submarine capabilities, along with economic aid like food and energy, to bolster its struggling economy and military programs.
• The deepening economic ties directly challenge the extensive international sanctions imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council. Russia, a permanent member, has increasingly obstructed efforts to enforce these sanctions, potentially providing Pyongyang with a lifeline to acquire hard currency and essential goods, as observed by UN experts cited by Al Jazeera. This undermines global non-proliferation efforts.
• Western intelligence agencies have already reported evidence of North Korean arms shipments to Russia, including artillery rounds and short-range ballistic missiles, used in Ukraine. The new treaty's mutual defense clause raises fears of more extensive military-technical cooperation, potentially involving Russian assistance for North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, a concern voiced by South Korean officials to Yonhap News Agency.
• This summit significantly alters the geopolitical landscape in Northeast Asia, creating a stronger anti-Western bloc. It exacerbates tensions with South Korea, Japan, and the United States, potentially leading to an arms race in the region. Analysts at the Council on Foreign Relations suggest it could embolden North Korea to conduct further provocations, increasing regional instability.
• The groundwork for this summit was laid during Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia in September 2023, where he met Putin at a spaceport. Since then, numerous reports of arms transfers have emerged, alongside increased diplomatic exchanges. This visit solidifies a trajectory of growing cooperation that has been building over the past year, as documented by Reuters.
• Future developments could include increased North Korean missile and nuclear tests, potentially with Russian technological assistance, and a more overt challenge to UN sanctions. Russia might also seek to expand its influence in the Pacific, using North Korea as a strategic partner. The United States and its allies are expected to explore further sanctions and diplomatic pressure, according to statements from the U.S. State Department.
• The new "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty," particularly its mutual defense clause, directly contravenes multiple UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea's weapons programs and arms trade. Russia's actions as a permanent UNSC member undermine the very international legal framework it is supposed to uphold, a point emphasized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres's office.